World War veteran disappears for D-Day trip
US World War II Veterans attend a ceremony of commemoration at the signal monument in Sainte-Mere-Eglise on June 5, 2014, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the World War II Allied landings in Normandy. June 6, 2014 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day and "Operation Overlord", a vast military operation by Allied forces in Normandy, which turned the tide of World War II, eventually leading to the liberation of occupied France and the end of the war against Nazi Germany. AFP PHOTO / GUILLAUME SOUVANT
What you need to know:
- No fighting soldier from the Second War is known to be still alive and the survivors of the invasion, mostly aged in their 90s, are fewer and fewer.
- When his absence was noted, the care home reported the old fellow missing and Sussex police put out a search bulletin. Staff later discovered that he had joined other veterans in France and was safe at a hotel near the battle site of Ouistreham.
Britain is awash in military anniversaries: 2014 marks 100 years since the outbreak of First World War, and the 70th anniversary of the Second World War Two D-Day landings in France in 1944 took place nine days ago on June 6.
No fighting soldier from the Second War is known to be still alive and the survivors of the invasion, mostly aged in their 90s, are fewer and fewer.
But Bernard Jordan, 89, is one of them, and he created a short-lived panic when he took off for the memorial ceremonies on the beaches of France without telling anybody.
Mr Jordan was a 19-year-old Royal Navy officer when thousands of British and American troops landed in France in the first stage of the recapture of Nazi-occupied Europe.
He attended the 50th and 60th memorial services in Normandy but was too late to book for the 70th tour with the Royal British Legion. The care home in Brighton, where he lives with his wife Irene, had bought him a new blazer to pin his war medals to, so he decided to go it alone.
When his absence was noted, the care home reported the old fellow missing and Sussex police put out a search bulletin. Staff later discovered that he had joined other veterans in France and was safe at a hotel near the battle site of Ouistreham. After the ceremonies, he took the ferry back to the UK.
A spokesman said Mr Jordan was “on fine form” back in the care home. “He tucked into a hearty English breakfast as soon as he got here from the ferry.”
The old sailor said, “I’m delighted to be back home. I just decided to make my own way to France. Thank you everybody for your interest.”
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Nikki Embleton, of Thornley, County Durham, is susceptible to blackouts and when she stood up suddenly one day recently she passed out. She was alone with her toddler son, Oliver.
However, she had taught the little boy to use their landline telephone in case of emergencies and when she came round, he was on the phone talking to the police.
She said, “Oliver dialled 999 and said, ‘Mam fell over.’” The call was transferred to a police officer who kept Oliver talking while they traced the address from the landline.
“I came round and Oliver was still on the phone to the police and an ambulance came within a few minutes. He’s my superhero.”
Oliver received a new toy plane for his actions.
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It may say something about the quality of the football, but when England played Peru in a pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley on May 30, the biggest cheer came for a paper plane.
Spectators broke into spontaneous applause when the plane, thrown from the upper stands, sailed majestically above the crowds and only came to a stop when it tapped the unsuspecting Peruvian defender Hansell Riojas on the head.
Paper plane expert Andy Chipling said, “It was very good but with a better design it could have gone farther.” He said it was the standard “dart” design, which is good for speed but not best for distance.
What makes Chipling an expert? “I once threw a paper plane from the gallery at the top of the Royal Albert Hall and it hit the organist.”
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One, I cannot guarantee this truly happened, and Two, I’ve a feeling I’ve seen it before, but Three, it’s too good not to repeat.
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias was on television with British presenter Anne Diamond when he used the word “manyana.” She asked him to explain exactly what it meant.
He said it meant “Maybe the job will be done tomorrow, maybe next day or the day after, or maybe next month or next year. Who knows?”
The presenter turned to Mr Cristofus Wanjugu and asked if there was an equivalent term in his own language.
“Eh,” he replied. “In Swahili we don’t have a word to describe that degree of urgency.”
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Thoughts to ponder:
As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind; every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder — Astronaut John Glenn.
America is the only country where a significant proportion of the population believes that professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was faked — Talk show host David Letterman.
I’ve been married to a Communist and a Fascist, and neither would take out the garbage — Movie star Zsa Zsa Gabor.
When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife — Prince Philip.
Having more money doesn’t make you happier. I have $50 million but I was just as happy when I had $48 million — Arnold Schwarzenegger.
