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Vicky McClure's tribute to D-Day veteran grandad

McClure family Vicki McClure on the left wearing a dark-coloured jumper and sitting on the floor next to her grandfather Ralph. He is sat in an armchair wearing a navy blue suit, light-coloured shirt, navy blue tie with yellow diagonal stripes and four war medals are pinned to his jacket.McClure family
Vicky McClure said her grandfather only started to speak about his experiences in the war in recent years

Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure has paid tribute to her "loving grandad" and D-Day veteran Ralph McClure, who has died at the age of 99.

Mr McClure, who grew up in Nottingham, had served in the Royal Navy during World War Two and ferried tanks and heavy equipment to the beaches.

He played a crucial part in Operation Overlord - where British, US and Canadian troops landed in occupied Europe - as a signaller on a landing craft tank, which took armoured transport right on to the beaches.

His granddaughter said he was a "much loved hero".

McClure family A head shot of Ralph McClure when he was young wearing his navy uniform.McClure family
Ralph McClure was 17 when he joined the Navy and took part in the D-Day landings

Nottingham-born McClure said on X on Monday: "My Grandad Ralph peacefully passed away this morning.

"His love for football, gardening and his family kept him young all these years.

"I feel so grateful having so many special memories with him."

She added: "Sleep well Grandad, back with Nana Jean, giggling and dancing in the stars."

Mr McClure previously told the BBC his part in the D-Day invasion was "a job to be done".

As a signaller on a landing craft during Operation Overlord, Mr McClure was close enough to come under small arms fire from rifles and machine guns.

He said: "I was going down and I could hear 'Ping! Ping! Ping!' and I thought 'that must be snipers!'

"They had German snipers in the houses and I just dropped and threw myself into where the tanks had been where they couldn't get you.

"These are the bits of the landing you don't forget."

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