D-Day Veteran Remembers Fallen Comrades In Normandy

A decorated D-Day veteran has paid his respects to fallen comrades during a trip to Normandy on Remembrance Day.

John Dowling, who celebrated his 97th Birthday during the seven-day trip, was a Royal Marine signaller who specialised in Morse Code during the 1944 battle.

The former marine toured Juno, Gold and Omaha beaches - three of the assault beaches ground troops landed across on the day - sharing tales with fellow veterans.

John was joined on the poignant trip by his daughter Maggie Harrison, 68, and doctor grandson Ian Blessey, 38.

Maggie said: "I think it was important for my Dad to visit Normandy again and we all really appreciated the funding made available for veterans to pay their last respects.

"It was extra special for us to celebrate Dad's birthday in the company of friends and colleagues whilst we were there.

"His career in the Royal Marines played a big part in his life.

"Despite dementia, he still tells stories of the war and his time in the Royal Marines and of the time he spent courting my mum.

"The trip brought back some happy and some sad memories and it was great to experience the camaraderie between these elderly gentlemen.

"It was very poignant visiting several of the immaculately maintained war cemeteries."

John now lives with his wife Isobel, 95, at a dementia care home in Lancashire.

He met Isobel, who was a nurse at the time, in Dundee during the war after he broke his ankle while training and they have been inseparable ever since.

After several failed attempts to tie the knot due to John's wartime commitment to the Royal Marines, the couple went on marry in Dundee in 1944.

They then spent some time travelling and eventually settled in Plymouth.

The paid had four children - Helen, Maggie, Ian and Sally.

Tragically, Ian passed away when he was 18 months old from leukaemia and Sally passed away at nine years old from spina bifida.

The devoted pair - who have five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren - are due to celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary on December 16.

John's trip was organised by the Royal British Legion and paid for with LIBOR funding.