One of Doncaster's last D-Day heroes dies aged 99

Jack Earnshaw left Mexborough National School in Adwick to get a job as a butcher’s errand boy, before joining the Royal Navy at the outbreak of World War Two.

He was sent to Plymouth for his training, before being sent to join his ship, which was the destroyer, HMS Cattistock.

His ship was among those that took part in D-Day, with Jack serving as a gunner, firing at the German positions from the sea as the invasion took place on June 6, 1944.

His son John, said Jack frequently shared stories about his time at sea.

“The big story he used to share with us was that he met Prince Phillip a few times during the war, while his ship was serving in the Mediterranean.

“He also told how when his ship was in the River Elbe, near Hamburg, he saw a German mini submarine and knocked it out with his gun.

“But at D Day, he was bombarding the French coast.”

Whilst guarding the Admiralty buildings in Bath, he met his wife, Poppy.

After the war, Jack worked as a guard on the railway, at Mexborough, and then Wath.

Three years ago Jack was honoured by the French government when he was presented with the Croix de Guerre du Legion d'Honneur for his work on D Day, receiving the medal from reprentatives of the French government, at a special presentation ceremony at the Mansion House, in Doncaster, and a honour which his family described as the French equivalent of a knighthood.

His family attended the ceremony, and relatives described it as a proud moment for Jack.

He lived his last years at a care home, but was still well known at the Wetherspoons in Mexborough.

In his retirement, he adopted hobbies including birdwatching and golf, once getting a hole in one in Conisbrough.

Jack will be remembered at a service at Mexborough Parish Church on Church Street on Tuesday March 5, at 1.15pm. All are welcome at the service, said John.