D-Day Veteran, 99, Passes Away Before Remembrance Sunday Commemoration

A D-Day veteran, who served as a torpedo boat gunner providing escort for American forces, has passed away at the age of 99. George Chandler, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, who experienced vision loss later in life, had been scheduled to lead the Blind Veterans UK contingent at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday, alongside his granddaughters Lucy Tucknott, 31, and Faye West, 28. The charity has extended an invitation to them to participate in the march in remembrance of their grandfather. Mr. Chandler was 19 years old when he was part of the 59th flotilla, tasked with escorting the US army’s assault on Omaha and Utah beaches. Prior to the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, he recounted some of the terrible aspects of the invasion. “Due to a navigation error, the Americans were landed a mile and a half too far to the west, and were slaughtered as they came in,” he said. “Half of them didn’t have time to get off their assault craft. It was something I wouldn’t want anybody to watch. Very brave men.” He added, “I will never forget the sight of seeing those brave young men fighting and dying as they struggled to get off the beach.” For approximately three months continuously, Mr. Chandler’s flotilla would return to Newhaven each night for refuelling, rearming, and a few hours of sleep before making the return journey across the Channel. Following the Normandy campaign, his vessel was deployed to the Mediterranean, where it sustained damage prior to its sinking in April 1945. Subsequent to the war, Mr. Chandler was employed by the General Post Office and then BT, retiring in the 1980s. This retirement allowed him to dedicate more time to his genuine passion for golf. He held an honorary life membership at Haywards Heath Golf Club. A spokesperson for Blind Veterans UK, an organization that provided support to Mr. Chandler, issued a statement saying: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to George’s son Paul and all his family and friends.” The spokesperson continued, stating, “George was the guest of honour at our special D-Day anniversary dinner in June this year, 80 years after the invasion of Normandy.” “He shared with us his poignant memories from the historic day and everyone in the room was gripped by his stories.” “George was a larger-than-life figure that brought so much joy to all of those who met him.” For updates from BBC Sussex, connect on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights are reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.