King Charles 'saddened' after death of Basildon D-Day hero

Don Sheppard passed away at Basildon Hospital on Saturday morning, surrounded by his family in his final hours. 

The 104-year-old veteran was called up at the beginning of the war and completed his army training at Colchester Garrison, before being sent off to fight in Sicily and north Africa.

Don, who was born in Laindon and later moved to Basildon, was a 24-year-old despatch rider by the time D-Day arrived in June of 1944, with the highly regarded 51st Scottish Division of the Royal Engineers.

Royal company - Don is pictured in 2009 chatting to Prince Philip at an event to commemorate 65 years since D-Day (Image: Provided)

There was an outpouring of sadness across south Essex following the news of his death, with friends, family, council leaders and MPs paying heartfelt tribute to Don.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman has since said King Charles was "deeply saddened to hear of Don Sheppard’s death".

Monday, the day after Don's passing, would have marked Don’s 57th wedding anniversary to wife Sandra.

He had suffered several bouts of pneumonia in recent years and in April he was "on the brink of death", but was so determined to hold on for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June that he bounced back.

Throughout his lifetime Don received many personal accolades, including being given Freedom of the Borough of Basildon in 2019.

“He is at peace now but in our hearts forever,” Don’s daughter Jo O’Brien said on Sunday.

“We are all devastated of course, but we want to try to celebrate dad’s life now. He gave us so much and we loved him more than words can say.”