One of Britain’s last surviving D-Day veteran’s has died aged 100. Joe Cattini landed on the beaches of northern France in the invasion force which turned the tide of World War Two in June 1944.
Mr Cattini’s granddaughter Sarah Burr announced in a statement that her “beloved grandad” passed away on Tuesday.
She wrote: “A life so well lived. One of the last D-Day veterans left. We are so proud of him and loved him so much.
“The past nine years since D-Day 70 were some of the happiest of his life.”
Ms Burr added that, “like most of his generation”, Mr Cattini never “really talked about his war experiences” but sharing them with others in recent years “was so important to him.”
A former bombardier in the 86th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Mr Cattini landed on Normandy’s Gold Beach on June 6, 1944.
Mr Cattini told the BBC in 2019 during the 70th anniversary of the invasion: “I landed here on D-Day at 10am and the beach was littered with dead, wounded, prisoners of war and also destroyed vehicles and craft.
“There were things floating in the water that you don’t want to remember.
“Now it’s so peaceful and tranquil that you feel more at ease.”
In January, Mr Cattini, commenting on his 100th birthday, said: “When you are young, you think war is a game. Something you can laugh about. War is very serious. It affects everybody.”
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit express.co.uk/news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts facebook.com/DailyExpress and @daily_express
