D-Day warrior Ken Hay marked his 100th birthday by making a promise to return to Normandy next year – and every year he is able.
The braveheart – who saw his patrol ambushed and close pals killed during the invasion – marked his personal milestone with a solemn pledge to keep the memories of those who served and fell alive.
Soldier Ken was captured just weeks after the invasion of June 6, 1944. Nine of his comrades were killed, 16 escaped, while five – including Ken – were held as prisoners of war and put to work as a slave in a Polish coal mine.
During the final stages of the Second World War, and with the Russians approaching, Ken and 80,000 fellow PoWs were forced on a 1,000 mile death march in freezing temperatures.
He was liberated by American troops and returned to the UK just before VE Day for an emotional reunion with his family.
He has dedicated his life since to honouring those who served and fell and makes annual pilgrimages to the British Normandy Memorial to pay his respects.
The London-born hero said: “We are the lucky ones who returned home as so many made the supreme sacrifice which led to the liberation of France and the freedom of Europe. We salute them and thank them for our peace.”
Serving in the 4th Dorset infantry regiment Ken – awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest order of merit for his wartime heroics – followed his brother Bill into the Army and both saw action during the Normandy Landings.
He said: “My brother was four years older than me, he joined the Territorial Army a year before the war. I was a little boy.
“I was so proud of my brother fighting. At 17 I joined the regiment and joined my brother. Eventually we went across to Normandy.
“In July 1944 we were all out on patrol together. Five of our platoon got captured, including me and that was the last I saw of my brother.
“And we were put on the trains to Poland and we were sent down the mine.
“Eventually two American tanks turned up and we were liberated.
“I came home on May 4, 1945 and on VE Day we all went up to church for a service of thanksgiving and suddenly we heard footsteps and it was my brother running down from the station, running home.
“And we were just…close to each other. We didn’t say anything, we were just close.”
At commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day last year Ken stood up in front of thousands of people, including King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, and fellow veterans, to deliver an emotional address.
And earlier this year he returned alongside chums Jim Grant, Richard Aldred, Henry Rice and John Dennett – the Famous Five – to Sword Beach.
Richard Palusinski, Chairman of Spirit of Normandy Trust, said: “It is great to see Normandy veteran Ken Hay looking fit and well and, deservedly, the centre of attention.
“After all Ken endured as a soldier and prisoner of war during his contribution to the freedom of Europe it is wonderful to see him celebrate this milestone.”
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which takes heroes back to the battlefields each year, said: “Many happy returns from us all.”