One of the last D-Day veterans dies aged 101: Shropshire man stormed beaches on June 6
The Shropshire war hero’s funeral will be held later this month
One of the last surviving D-Day veterans, who was from Shropshire, has died at the age of 101.
Eric Lucas, from Church Stretton, stormed Sword Beach on June 6, 1944, with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
The war hero, who has been described by his son as a “generous gentleman” passed away on Wednesday, August 26.
The Stretton man was seriously wounded during his wartime service a few months after D-Day.
On October 16, 1944, Eric was struck by shrapnel from a German shell in the Netherlands.
As a result, the Shropshire soldier lost the lower part of his right leg.
In 2016, he was awarded the Legion D’honneur medal, France’s highest decoration for both those in the military and civilians.
He was awarded the medal to commemorate his brave service during the war.
Asked to sum up his late father, Geoff Lucas said: “He was very easy-going and a very generous person.”
He added: “He liked a gamble, obviously within his means, but if he won, the whole family would win, because he would share his winnings. He was a very generous man.”
After the war, Eric had to grapple with life without the full use of his right leg.
After learning how to walk again using a prosthetic leg, he worked as a school caretaker in Church Stretton, then as a builder for Sherratt Builders and Bennett’s.
He finished off working for GKN Sankey in Telford.
Eric married his wife Jean in 1952. The couple were married for nearly 70 years until Jean died in 2020.
The couple went on to have two children, Geoff and Christine, and Eric died a great-great-grandfather.
Asked about what the reaction of the family has been since Eric died, Geoff said: “Well, obviously, they are upset and the grandkids are greatly upset because he used to spend a lot of time with them.”
Talking about his father’s legacy, Geoff said: “I would like him to be remembered as a very kind, generous gentleman.
“He was a good father, he looked after us. We always went on holidays - only to places like Rhyl and Blackpool - but we had a great time.”
Eric Lucas’ funeral will take place on September 14 at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury at 2.45pm.