Donald Rose, the oldest living person in the United Kingdom, celebrated his 110th birthday in Ilkeston (Derbyshire) on Christmas Eve.
Donald Rose was born in Westcott, Surrey, England, on 24 December 1914. At some point, he married Jeannette, with whom he had a son, David. He worked into his early 70s, holding various jobs as a laborer, including roles with the gas board, as a lorry driver, and as a bin man. He lived in Westcott with his wife until her passing, after which he relocated to Derbyshire in 2000. They were married for 55 years.
As a young man. (Source: Derby Telegraph)
At the age of 25, in 1939, he enlisted in the British Army and joined the Queen’s Royal Regiment, stationed in Guildford with the 7th Armoured Brigade. He served on the front lines of World War II as a member of the Eighth Army, famously known as the ‘Desert Rats.’ His service spanned Africa, where he contributed to key campaigns, and extended to the liberation of Italy and France. Trained as a sniper, he served in North Africa, Italy, France, Normandy, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest honor, after the war.
On 25 November 2024, he became the oldest validated living man in the United Kingdom following the passing of 112-year-old John Tinniswood. However, he may have assumed the title two days later, on 27 November, after the passing of Haji Ghulam Mohammed, but his age has not been validated.
The featured image was sourced from: Forces News
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Donald Rose on his 110th birthday.
