WW2 veteran wants children to learn about D-Day

A World War Two veteran has called for schools to teach children more about the Normandy landings because the “world is dangerous at the moment” and they could urge politicians to avoid wars.

Henry Rice, 98, from Cranleigh, Surrey, was a signalman who arrived off Juno Beach five days after D-Day.

Ahead of the 80th anniversary, he said some children did not know about what had happened in 1944.

"It’s schooling and it’s a pity, it would be great for children to be taught," said Mr Rice.

He said that during commemoration events in June he will be “all mouth and trousers” to stop himself crying.

But Mr Rice said: "I have honestly found that when you talk to 10, 12, 14-year-old children in this country I don’t think some of them know Arromanches."

He added: “I think it’s important, this world is dangerous at the moment, if those children grow up into adults and know what this is all about, collectively they can go to politicians, Russians can go to Putin and say ‘Oi, we’ve had all this before. We don’t want it. Stop it, please’."

Troops from the UK, the US, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of northern France on 6 June 1944, known as D-Day.

It was the largest military naval, air and land operation ever attempted and marked the start of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-west Europe.

Mr Rice said that if more people made their "feelings known" about global events, "the politicians may listen".

The nonagenarian, who received the Legion d’honneur order of merit from the French government, served on HMS Eastway, which was ferrying men and equipment to Normandy.

He will travel to France in June with a group of veterans supported by the Spirit of Normandy Trust.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.