Fair winds and following seas: D-Day veteran Dougie Shelley dies at the age of 100
An Arctic Convoy veteran who played a vital role during the D-Day Landings has died aged 100.
Dougie Shelley's role as a gunner helped keep the skies clear of enemy aircraft, protecting troops as they landed in Normandy on D-Day.
Inspired by relatives who served with the Royal Navy, Mr Shelley lied about his age to join the Senior Service in 1942 when he was 17.
After rigorous training at HMS Glendower in Wales, the Able Seaman served on River-class frigate HMS Meon and, on D-Day, the destroyer HMS Milne, among others.
The veteran had no known surviving family but, after an appeal in 2025 by Mr Shelley's local Royal Naval Association in Southend, he received a staggering 16,000 birthday cards, including one from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Birthday cards arrived from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with messages from schools, care homes, cub groups, sea cadets and Downing Street.
Mr Shelley celebrated his 100th birthday with a tot of rum at a party at his local Royal Naval Association.
Of his thousands of birthday cards, he said: "Thanks to every sender for their kindness, it makes me feel very special."
But he added: "I don't know what all the fuss is about, I'm only 100, not 200."
The Royal Naval Association said in a Facebook post on Friday: "We are incredibly sad to hear that Dougie Shelley has crossed the bar.
"Fair winds and following seas, shipmate."
One person commented saying: "Having reached the grand age of 100, may he rest in eternal peace.
"Thank you for your service, sir. Your watch is done."
The centenarian was given the news on his 100th birthday that he would receive France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur – news that left him feeling "over the moon".
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