Donald Rose
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24 December 1914
(aged 110 years, 199 days)
Donald Rose | |
|---|---|
| Born | Donald Kitchener Rose 24 December 1914 Westcott, Surrey, England |
| Died | 11 July 2025 (aged 110 years, 199 days) Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Spouse |
Jeannette Rudin
(m. 1946; died 2001) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
Donald Kitchener Rose (24 December 1914 – 11 July 2025) was an English supercentenarian and the oldest living World War II veteran at the time of his death. Following the death of John Tinniswood on 25 November 2024, Rose became the oldest living man in the United Kingdom.
Rose was born in Westcott, Surrey, England, on 24 December 1914.[1] He married Jeannette "Janet" Rudin in Surrey in October 1946.[2] The marriage produced one child.[3] He was widowed in February 2001, after 54 years of marriage.[4]
On Rose's 110th birthday, Christmas Eve 2024, Alfie Boe sang "Happy Birthday to You" to him via video call and he received a birthday card from Buckingham Palace.[5] Rose appeared on The One Show VE Day 80th anniversary special, broadcast on 5 May 2025.[6][7]
War Service
Rose enlisted in the British Army in 1940, aged 25, joining the Territorial Army component of the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) and trained in Guildford.[4]
North African Campaign (1942)
From early 1942, Rose served with the 7th Armoured Division, better known as the Desert Rats, as part of the British Eighth Army. He saw action in several engagements during the North African campaign, including:[4]
Allied Invasion of Italy – Salerno (September 1943)
In September 1943, Rose and his battalion landed at Salerno, Italy, as part of the Allied invasion of Italy. By October, they returned to England to prepare for the Western Europe campaign.[4]
Normandy and Northwest Europe (June 1944 – 1945)
Rose arrived on the Normandy Beaches on 9 June 1944 (D+3), as part of operations including Operation Goodwood and the breakout through France. His Battalion advanced through, Belgium, South Holland, the Netherlands, and finally into Germany. He suffered a minor leg wound in Normandy but returned to active duty.[4]
Liberation of Bergen-Belsen (April 1945)
In April 1945, Rose was part of the division that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany.[4][8]
Medal ribbons and awards
Rose was awarded campaign medals for North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe, and in 2025 received the Légion d’honneur from France.[9] [10]
On 30 May 2025, Rose was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Erewash, presented by the Mayor, Harry Atkinson.[11]