A WAR veteran who survived being evacuated from Dunkirk during the Second World War has died.
Alfred Smith, 99, from Shoebury, served in the Royal Army Service Corps during the war.
He was one of only 31 soldiers in his troop of 107 men who survived the evacuation from the beaches in Dunkirk.
Announcing the news of his death yesterday, armed forces charity SSAFA, of which Alfred was a member, paid tribute to the “true gentleman” who had a varied life after the war.
They added: “Today we heard that “our Alfred” has passed away.
“Alfred was in the RASC during the Second World War.
“He was a Dunkirk and D-Day veteran.
“He taught ballroom dancing and appeared on TV dancing.
“He was a driving instructor for many years, and he was our friend, and a true gentleman.
“RIP sleep well, duty done.”
Alfred fought in the D-Day landings before he was hit by shrapnel on the beach.
He fled on a paddle steamer from Dunkirk during the largest evacuation by sea in history.
In 2015, he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur for his bravery.
The medal is the highest honour a soldier can receive from the French military.
He also got to meet Prince Harry at Kensington Palace ahead of the premier of the film Dunkirk at Leicester Square’s Odeon Cinema.
Wearing all his medals, he was cheered as he walked down the red carpet at the premier last year.
He has also taken part in a number of projects aimed at raising awareness of the war and sharing his memories with the younger generations.
Earlier this month he visited Hadleigh Junior School and other junior schools in south Essex to share his memories.
His story will feature in Raymond Newlyn’s first book, entitled D-Day 70, which focused on five heroes of the D-Day landings, the largest seaborne invasion in history which took place on June 6, 1944.
For more information and details on armed forces charity SSAFA, visit ssafa.org.uk
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