D-Day Veteran Henry Rice dies aged 100 as tributes paid to 'great character with a cheeky smile'
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The war hero dedicated his later life to remember those who served alongside him in the Second World War
Second World War veteran Henry William Rice who served in the Royal Navy as part of the Normandy landings has died at the age of 100.
Mr Rice, of Cranleigh, Surrey, was a “great character with a cheeky smile” and will be “greatly missed by all”, the Spirit of Normandy Trust said in a statement announcing his death. “Henry was committed to remembering those who were sent to war and never returned,” the charity said.
The spirited sailor has also been remembered by the Veterans’ Foundation which said in a statement that he “dedicated much of his later life to remembrance, ensuring the sacrifices of those who served would never be forgotten”.
Mr Rice was a former signalman and arrived off Juno beach five days after the D-Day landings, when troops from the UK, France, the US and Canada launched an invasion against German forces on Nazi-occupied France. He served aboard HMS Eastway, which transported men and equipment to Normandy.
The sailor was later awarded the Legion d'honneur, France's highest order of merit. Mr Rice was serving at HMS Collingwood in Fareham before being deployed to France. The inspirational veteran undertook several engagements in the Portsmouth area before his passing.
Mr Rice spoke to The News after seeing the Standing With Giants commemorative memorial at Fort Nelson, where 1,475 silhouettes were set up as part of the ‘For Your Tomorrow - The People’s Tribute’ display. He said of the tribute: “I just can’t think of what else they could have done. It speaks for itself.
“I’ll shed a couple of tears, not here though. I suppose it’s like getting hurt somewhere and then paying them the compliment of bringing them home again. All the time, they must be thinking ‘we’re coming home’.
“When we came through here, I was blown away. It makes me think of pride for my ship, but at the same time, embarrassment that my ship could be responsible for bringing a number of these gentlemen onto the beaches. Whereas I just sat on the ship and said ‘bye and godbless’, and returned to Portsmouth.”
Mr Rice was also invited to a special birthday celebration at HMS Excellent on Whale Island this summer, which celebrated the lives of Second World War veterans. They were treated to a spectacular feast at the Royal Navy base, organised by personnel and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
The veteran previously stressed the importance of teaching children about the Second World War. He said: “I think it’s important, this world is dangerous at the moment, if those children grow up into adults and know what this is all about, collectively they can go to politicians, Russians can go to Putin and say ‘Oi, we’ve had all this before. We don’t want it. Stop it, please’.
“Whether the bigwigs will listen to us is another matter, but I really believe that if the population generally made their feelings known, I don’t mean going up and down the street screaming rubbish, the politicians may listen.”
Mr Rice served in the Mediterranean and was then sent to the Far East following the Normandy landings. After the war, he worked on cruise ships before leaving his work at sea to join the local fire service.
The Spirit of Normandy Trust said Mr Rice attended many remembrance events in the UK as well as in France, including at the planting of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, where he handed the Queen the last poppy to be placed to mark VE Day 80.
“Henry always represented the veterans with dignity, particularly when asked to lay a wreath on behalf of his colleagues or to recite the Exhortation or Kohima Epitaph,” the charity said. “Henry was a great character, with a cheeky smile that endeared him to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all and we offer his family our most sincere condolences.”