D-Day 'Great Escaper' War Veteran Dies
Bernard Jordan wore his war medals under his coat as he embarked on a cross-Channel adventure to help commemorate WWII.
18:54, UK,
Tuesday 06 January 2015
A war veteran who disappeared from his care home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France has died aged 90.
Bernard Jordan, who was dubbed the Great Escaper after his cross-Channel adventure last year, died peacefully in hospital.
His death was announced in by Gracewell Healthcare, which runs The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, where Mr Jordan, known as Bernie, lived with his wife.
Bernard Jordan birthday.
Mr Jordan with his birthday cards last June
Mr Jordan hit headlines globally when he sneaked out to embark on a trip to the D-Day anniversary events in Normandy wearing his war medals under his grey mac.
His disappearance sparked a police search on 5 June and his whereabouts were only uncovered when a younger veteran phoned later that night to say he had met Mr Jordan and he was safe.
He was later inundated with more than 2,500 90th birthday cards from around the world.
Amanda Scott, managing director of Gracewell Healthcare, said: "Bernie caught the world's imagination last year when he made his 'surprise' trip to France and bought a huge amount of joy to a lot of people.
"He will be much missed by everyone here and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife.
"Bernie was always insistent that what he did during the war was nothing unusual, and only what many thousands of others did for their country.
"That may well be true, but the little bit of excitement he gave everyone last June was typical of his no-nonsense attitude to life and is how he will be remembered by thousands of people."
http://news.sky.com/story/1403078/d-day-great-escaper-war-veteran-dies
