Don died on 1 December 1999, aged 76.
He enlisted on 9 February 1942 at Romford and was posted to the 70th Battalion, the Essex Regiment. In January 1943 he transferred to the RAC and did his training at 57th Training Regiment, Catterick. In July 1943 he was posted to 147 Regiment RAC.
He landed in Normandy in July 1944 and shortly afterwards joined the 8th Royal Tank Regiment as a gunner. He remained with them throughout the fighting in North West Europe.
In August 1945 he joined the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars and remained with them until taking his release in March 1947. He always said that the 8th was the best Regiment he served with.
On return to civilian life, he initially worked for Brices Bodies Ltd, part of Fords of Dagenham, for 15 years. After that, he worked for a building contractor and his final job was with Ilford Films, retiring at 65.
He was a loyal and supportive member of the Regimental Association and attended events all over the UK, including Regimental Weekends. He always took part in the Cenotaph Remembrance Parade and the Irish Regiments’ Remembrance Parade.
