Joseph Bullock was just 19 when he took part in the Normandy landings in June 1944. His family say he never really spoke about his experiences – but he has proudly shown off his medals
One of Britain’s last surviving D-Day veterans has celebrated his 100th birthday – by driving his car for the last time.
Joseph Bullock was just 19 when he took part in the Normandy landings in June 1944. His family say he never really spoke about his experiences – but has proudly shown off his medals during commemoration and remembrance events with fellow veterans.
Joseph, who lives in Old Winford, celebrated the milestone last month with family and friends before taking his car for one final spin – a day before he gave up his licence.
Daughter Carolyn Perry, 64, from Stourbridge, West Midlands, said: “We realised how intense it was for a 19-year-old to go through that, and we are all very proud of him. He didn’t talk about it that much when I was younger, and he met up with some other veterans, and for quite a few years, he did a march on Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in London.”
Joseph was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in 2016 for his part in the Normandy campaign and is also the president of the Royal Navy Association at the Stourbridge branch.
His birthday comes as The Royal British legion started a campaign for World War Two veterans from all backgrounds to come forward and take part in the 80th anniversary of the end of the conflict this year.
It is hoped the nation will come together for VE Day (Victory in Europe) on May 8 and VJ Day (Victory over Japan) on August 15, to pay tribute to those who gave so much for the freedoms which endure today in modern Britain.
There could even be a repeat of the 50th anniversary of VE Day celebrations in 1995, with street parties across the country as the 80th anniversary could be one last chance to include veterans who fought between 1939 and 1945, with an estimated 70,000 still alive today in the UK.
Joseph joined the Navy in April 1943 during the Second World War and was demobbed in June 1946. He led Joiner on LB36 (the Normandy campaign) and later LSE (in Asia). Joseph made the D-Day crossing in a converted Thames lighter barge, refitted for beach repairs.
He can also remember his 21st birthday in a forest in Singapore, which was an experience for him.
The veteran has four children and great-grandchildren who are all very proud of him. Daughter Carolyn Perry, 64, from Stourbridge, West Midlands, said: “We realised how intense it was for a 19-year-old to go through that, and we are all very proud of him. He didn’t talk about it that much when I was younger, and he met up with some other veterans, and for quite a few years, he did a march on Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in London.”
Joseph was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in 2016 for his part in the Normandy campaign and is also the president of the Royal Navy Association at the Stourbridge branch.
Carolyn said: “The very poignant thing for me was on the 11th of November. To see my dad in the wheelchair and the standard bearers made me realise how lonely he must be.
“There was a bigger crowd than usual at the local cenotaph this year on Remembrance Day. Dad put his uniform and medals on, and I felt so proud of him. He is one of the very few still with us, and none of his friends are with him anymore.”
Joseph recently reached the age of 100 and celebrated it with family and friends from the Navy and the local bowling club. He even took his car out for one last spin.
Carolyn said: “Joseph is still very active and independent, and he even wanted to apply for a new license, but we thought otherwise. He has a word for everybody, and he is a very chatty man. He is still very active, and he just had to give up driving on New Year’s Eve because his license ran out.”
Want to register for the VE Day celebrations? Go to the Royal British Legion website details here.
