Scotland's last D-Day veteran Charlie Horne dies aged 100

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 17:20 · Archive

Charlie Horne, one of Scotland's last surviving D-Day veterans, has died aged 100. The former trawlerman from Prestonpans in East Lothian served on a small wooden minesweeper, MMS 291, which cleared sea mines off Omaha Beach during the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, when he was just 18 years old. He died on 3 November at Erskine Veterans Charity's Edinburgh Home, where he had been living since the summer.

Born into a fishing family, Horne was already an experienced seaman by the time he was called up for service in 1943. On D-Day, his minesweeper came under intense fire from German artillery and aircraft. Horne recalled the fear he felt on board one of the first allied vessels to head towards the Normandy beaches. With hundreds of ships behind them, they managed to get quite close in before German forces opened up. He described seeing shells, hearing intense noise and witnessing bodies floating in the water.

Speaking two years ago on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Horne reflected on his experience. He said: 'I was scared, I must admit, but you just had to get on with it.' He added that the scenes of devastation he witnessed stayed with him for the rest of his life. 'I don't think you could live through something like that and ever really leave it behind, no matter how many years pass,' he said.

Horne remained in the Navy, travelling on further active service in Asia and North Africa before being demobbed in 1947. He returned home to marry his sweetheart Jenny and continued life as a seafarer. Late in his life, he spoke of the importance of remembering those who never returned from the war. 'I've had another 82 years,' he reflected, emphasising the sacrifice of those who did not survive the conflict.

How it is being reported

• East Lothian D-Day veteran who fought at Omaha Beach dies aged 100'We are deeply saddened by Charlie’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him'Edinburgh Live · 7 Nov, 14:31
• One of Scotland's last D-Day veterans dies, aged 100Charlie Horne, from East Lothian, served on board a small minesweeper which cleared the way for the landing on Omaha Beach.BBC Edinburgh East And Fife · 7 Nov, 11:45
• D-Day veteran who was one of Scotland's last surviving has died in Edinburgh care home aged 100Mr Horne, who was from Prestonpans in East Lothian, died on November 3 at Erskine Veterans Charity’s Edinburgh Home, where he had been living since the summer.Edinburgh Evening News · 7 Nov, 10:29
• One of Scotland's last surviving D-Day veterans has died aged 100Mr Horne, who was from Prestonpans in East Lothian, said the scenes of devastation he saw as the Allied forces landed in France stayed with him for the rest of his life.The Scotsman · 7 Nov, 10:19

In this story: Charlie Horne · Prestonpans · East Lothian · Omaha Beach · Normandy · Erskine Veterans Charity · Royal Naval Patrol Service

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