Tri-Service

Care Home Escapee and D-Day Vet Leaves Estate to RNLI

A war veteran and former mayor of Hove who slipped away from his care home to attend last year's 70th anniversary D-Day events has left his and his wife's entire estate to the RNLI, the charity has said.

Bernard Jordan died aged 90 on December 30 - six months after he was nicknamed the Great Escaper following his cross-Channel adventure last summer.

His wife Irene then died seven days later, aged 88. The couple's entire estate, worth around £600,000, has now been left to the RNLI, the charity's officials said in a statement.

RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier said: "This is absolutely wonderful, unexpected news.

"Bernard's story charmed the nation last year when he journeyed from his Sussex care home to France to commemorate the D-Day landings.

"That spirit, that determination, is embedded deep within the psyche of our volunteer lifeboat crews who go to sea to save others in peril on the sea.

"I am delighted that the couple chose to leave us this sizeable donation, and their contribution, like those of Bernard's veteran peers, will never be forgotten."

An RNLI spokesman said the legacy came as a "huge surprise" but believed the couple's admiration stemmed from Mr Jordan's time in the Royal Navy in the Second World War.

Guy Rose, the legal admin manager for the RNLI, said: "This is a wonderful gift from Bernard and Irene.

"He really made a name for himself last year and there can't be many who weren't touched by his story.

"Gifts left in wills are so valuable to the RNLI and they ensure we can continue our life-saving work for people in, on or near the water."

Mr Jordan, known as Bernie, captured the nation's hearts when he travelled to D-Day events in Normandy wearing his war medals and grey mac.

His disappearance sparked a police search last June 5 and his whereabouts emerged only when a younger veteran phoned later that night to say he had met Mr Jordan and he was safe.

Mr Jordan, an ex-mayor of Hove, told reporters on his return that his aim was to remember his fallen "mates".

He had decided to join British veterans, most making their final pilgrimage to revisit the scene of their momentous invasion, to remember the heroes of the liberation of Europe.