Exeter WW2 Royal Marines veteran dies at 100

A Royal Marines Commando who fought in Italy during World War Two has died.

Fred Ames, who lived in Exeter, celebrated his 100th birthday in July.

Mr Ames joined the Royal Marines at 18 years old in 1942, and later became a military policeman at Yettington in Devon.

He was father of two, grandfather of four and great grandfather of three, and met his late wife Marion in a forces club canteen in Exeter.

He died on 22 January at the Lucerne House Care Home, in Alphington, Exeter.

He previously said about his time during the war: "It was no different to anyone else, nothing too exciting.

"We boarded small motor boats for a night crossing to Palermo in Sicily where we joined forces with the American 5th Army.

"We then moved on to mainland Italy where I fired my first shots in anger, or more likely fear, in the Battle of Anzio.

"The Germans soon brought in Panzers [German tank division] and other crack troops which made life more difficult."

Mr Ames later saw action in the south of France after D-Day.

In later life he was also a bus conductor and driver and hospital porter.

Mr Ames married his wife in 1947 and said the secret of a long marriage was saying "yes dear", and added: "You both say it, you must not submit all the time".

His son Richard Ames said: "Dad had a very peaceful and short passing.

"We will be having a funeral at Ide Church which we shall also use as a memorial for mum as she died during Covid and could not have the life celebration that she deserved."

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