Skip to content

Derbyshire D-Day veteran gets surprise ride in WW2 'Duck'

World War Two veteran Bill Millward was given a surprise ride in a restored vehicle, similar to the one he drove on D-Day 75 years ago.

The 103-year-old was hoisted by crane into an amphibious DUKW vehicle, known as the "Duck", and driven around his hometown of Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Mr Millward was part of a detachment which landed on Gold Beach on 6 June 1944.

He said: "I never thought I should get in a Duck again but I'm in one and I'm enjoying it."

24 August 2019

Explore More

Funeral of Ivor Gardner

Wiltshire D-Day veteran dies aged 104

Big Ben strikes 11 on the first Remembrance Sunday in 1946

Watch: The first official Remembrance Sunday in 1946

Paratroopers leap off plane

Watch: Hundreds of paratroopers leap to mark daring WW2 offensive

A public air raid shelter from World War Two. There are benches running the lenght of it and a stirrup pump can be seen in the foreground on one of them. Light is coming through a rectangular door of light is at the end.

Restored WW2 bunker reopens for Heritage Open Days

Walter sits in a black jacket and white shirt. He wears a stripy tie and has medals on the jacket.

Walter Wilson: 'I painted crosses for the dead'

Hector sits looking off camera. He wears a black jumper over the top of a checked shirt.

Hector McDonald: 'You didn't realise the danger you were in'

BBC reporter Faye Kidd standing with an umbrella in a rock-filled crater

Watch: Aftermath of WW2 bomb explosion

Northern Ireland

a keep out sign on a fence

'Chaotic' few days after WW2 bomb discovered

Northern Ireland

Archive image: former London ambulanceman Mark Bailey stands outside ‘Wendy’

World War Two ambulance preserved for years to come

Centenaria Hilda Leggett sitting in an amrchair in front of a pink birthday cake in the shape of the numbers 110

'Strong-willed' woman celebrates 110th birthday

Veteran Harold Terens and his wife Jeanne

'Love isn't just for young people': D-Day veteran, 100, weds bride, 96

Split screen with Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan

What two US presidents said at D-Day, 40 years apart

Keir Starmer

Starmer: Sunak has to answer for his own actions

Beacons light up to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day

President Zelensky kneels to speak to a veteran in a wheelchair

Zelensky and D-Day veteran call each other 'hero'

Veteran Ed Berthold

Veteran reads D-Day letter he sent home in 1944

Robert "Al" Persichitti

'I'm excited to be going' said US veteran before D-Day trip

Reg Pye meets Princess Anne

D-Day veteran, 100, revisits Normandy 80 years on

Town crier

D-Day commemorations across NI and France

Northern Ireland

HMS Belfast

On board HMS Belfast for D-Day anniversary

A pothole being repaired

Watch: Old tyres used to repair potholes

Roads with potholes in Derbyshire are being repaired using a material containing old tyres.

Religious leaders met over a cup of tea at the protests on Wednesday

Faith leaders say anti-racism protest 'brought us together'

The group of priests, Muslim teachers and an atheist meet at the demonstration in Derby.

Nathalie Fleet MP sat in a TV studio wearing a white top

MP who was raped says parents need to talk more about consent

Natalie Fleet says parents need to give guidance to their sons over what real consent to have sex is.

A German police officer with a strong resemblance to Gareth Southgate, surrounded by England fans in a public square in Dortmund.

Gareth Southgate lookalike cop serenaded by England fans

England supporters surrounded the bemused officer, singing "Southgate you're the one".

Five candidates vying for the Derby South seat, sitting around BBC presenter Ian Skye ahead of the Your Voice, Your Vote debate

BBC Derby - Your Voice, Your Vote debate

Parties fighting for your vote in Derby South debate the issues that matter to you.

Pupil

Pupils reveal what they would do as prime minister

Students from a school in Derby tell the BBC what their election pledges would be.

Kicking can

Man uses 'Maradona magic' to kick can into bin

Scott Whitehouse surprised himself by keeping the can in the air and directing it in to a bin.

Petalling

Popeye theme for village's well dressing event

A Derbyshire well dresser shows BBC News how the colourful displays are created.

Jessica Matthews holding a cockerel

Watch: Cockerel rescued after flying into woman's car

The bird managed to get inside Jessica Matthews's car after she stopped to see if it was OK.

Donald Rose

Watch: Spitfire flypast for UK's oldest WW2 veteran

Donald Rose, aged 109, served in the war on the front line.

Joanne Ryder and Malcolm

Watch: Moment Shaun Ryder's dog reunited with family

The Happy Monday singer's beagle is showered with cuddles after going missing in the Peak District.

A rhea

Watch: Rhea on the run in village shocks driver

The large, flightless bird was spotted running down a street in the Derbyshire village of Repton.

A peregrine and its chicks

Watch: Peregrine chicks hatch in cathedral nest

Footage of the chicks arriving was streamed live online by twitchers.

Billy the budgie

Watch: Budgie cheers on Derby County

Billy the budgie's chants include "Derby, Derby, on our way".

Cooper taking part in the competition

Boy wins competition with seagull impression

Cooper, from Derbyshire, travelled to Belgium to take part in the competition.

Care home residents stroking robotic pets

Care home residents react to robot pets

A care home in Derby introduces responsive robot pets to provide comfort to its residents.

Hikers roll over the stricken sheep

Watch: Stricken pregnant sheep flipped by hikers

The pair stumbled upon a ewe on its back while walking in the Peak District.

Brandon

Watch: Fan with rare condition scores final goal

A lifelong Ilkeston Town fan takes a penalty in the last minute of a match.

Northern Lights above Glossop

Watch: Time-lapse of northern lights over town

Craig Kenny, who recorded the footage over his home town, says he had never seen the aurora borealis before.

Chris Denning cloud inversion mam tor

Watch: Dog and owner see '360-degree' cloud inversion

Mr Pickle, the border terrier, loved the "exceptional" experience at Mam Tor, Derbyshire, his owner said.