89 year old pensioner missing from retirement home found safe and sound.

Banjo String

In France.

Catching us with his war veteran comrades in Normandy!

A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend the D-Day commemorations in France is on his way back to the UK.

Bernard Jordan, 89, left the home in Hove unannounced at 10:30 BST on Thursday and was reported missing to Sussex Police that evening.

Staff later discovered he had joined other veterans in France.

The former Royal Navy officer said he hoped his trip would not land him in trouble.

On Friday evening, it was confirmed Mr Jordan was on an overnight ferry and had been given a cabin, meals and a transfer back to his nursing home.


Prior to embarking, Mr Jordan told ITV News: "I have been here last year and I have been here obviously this time... but if I am still about I shall try next year's as well."

Asked if he would be in trouble when he returned home, he added: "I might be, but I hope not."

Ship's liaison officer Sonia Pittam, who met Mr Jordan on his way to France, said: "I knew he was a game old boy.

"He certainly has his wits about him, he didn't say much about the landings, just how pleased he was to be on board and couldn't believe how everyone was looking after them [veterans] and all the people waving on the route to the harbour entrance.

"He kept saying, 'All this for us'."

Peter Curtis, chief executive of Gracewell Care Homes, said he had spoken to Mr Jordan's guide and added: "He found it all very emotional - much more than he was expecting, which is why he wants to come home early."

He said he thought Mr Jordan wanted to be back at the care home with his wife Irene, and added that he would be meeting the veteran when he disembarks the ferry.

Mr Jordan, who was mayor of Hove from 1995-96, is a resident of The Pines nursing home in Hove.

'Missing with medals'

Hundreds of veterans marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, with events on the beaches of Normandy.

The landings were the first stage of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.

Earlier, it was believed care home staff stopped Mr Jordan from going to the events.

Bernard Jordan served in the Royal Navy

Brighton and Hove police hadtweeted: "90 year old veteran reported missing from care home. Turns out they'd said no to him going to #DDay70 but he went anyway #fightingspirit"

The pensioner had gone out wearing a grey raincoat and a jacket underneath with his war medals on, Sussex Police said.

A police spokesman earlier said: "We have spoken to the veteran who called the home today and are satisfied that the pensioner is fine and that his friends are going to ensure he gets back to Hove safely over the next couple of days after the D-Day celebrations finish.

http://m.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-27735086


Fair balls to him.


Only young once after all.

DEFTLEFTHAND

I heard about that, fair play to the old boy.

Arthur Beesley

Sad that there's not too many of these guys left.

D1stant

Brilliant.

ncmc

Amazing story, what a man. Remind me of the novel 'the 100 year old man who climbed out a window and disappeared' which is a super read by the way.

What's damning about this is how long it took them to realise he was missing! He had already made it to France before they copped on! Kind of scary for those with loved ones in that home.

Rainwaterman

If not for these people Hitler could have wiped us all out.
These men deserve all the respect and grattitude in the world.
That man got a heros wellcome back at the nursing home.
He also got free travel for life with the ferry company over to France.

Donkey Oaty

That police tweet is incorrect, by the way - they've said that he's free to come and go as he pleases from the care home, and he goes out most days, which is why they didn't raise the alarm straight away.

He says:

"I am delighted to be back at home with my wife and the wonderful staff here at The Pines. I was never banned from going to commemorations - I just decided to make my own way there.

My name is URL

'Hello, I am Cornelius Talmidge. My family brought me here on Monday but I broke free and went on a bit of a bender'

Donkey Oaty

Nice to see a news story where everyone involved seems to come out of it very well.

We need more of these.

rosiem

Fair play to him great story

Arthur Beesley

Is he 89 or 90?

anncoates

Rainwaterman wrote: »

He also got free travel for life with the ferry company over to France.

He's 89

Great story though. Some lad. Like said it's sad to think there's so few veterans alive now

PropJoe10

It was fighting spirit like that that won the war for the Allies. Shame there isnt more people around these days with such spirit and fight. Fair play to the old chap

Rhys Essien

Fair play to the man at 89 to have the passion and respect for his country to do what he done.Meanwhile in Ireland,we have ar$eholes like Stephen Ireland who couldnt give a crap or have any pride for his country.

Arthur Beesley

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Fair play to the man at 89 to have the passion and respect for his country to do what he done.Meanwhile in Ireland,we have ar$eholes like Stephen Ireland who couldnt give a crap or have any pride for his country.

Yeah, a country that opted out of WW2. Or should I say 'the emergency'.

goose2005

Arthur Beesley wrote: »

Yeah, a country that opted out of WW2. Or should I say 'the emergency'.

Name a country that joined WW2 by choice? Anyone who could have stayed out, did. If Ireland had fought the dead would be five or six figures.

Arthur Beesley

goose2005 wrote: »

Name a country that joined WW2 by choice? Anyone who could have stayed out, did. If Ireland had fought the dead would be five or six figures.

Germany?
Japan?
Italy?
Australia?

Arthur Beesley

Arthur Beesley wrote: »

Germany?
Japan?
Italy?
Australia?

Plus Canada and New Zealand.

Arthur Beesley

Arthur Beesley wrote: »

Plus Canada and New Zealand.

A host of other countries took sides (without actively participating in some cases) - here are a few examples of independent countries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participants_in_World_War_II#Costa_Rica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participants_in_World_War_II#Guatemala
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participants_in_World_War_II#Honduras
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participants_in_World_War_II#Nicaragua

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participants_in_World_War_II

J Cheever Loophole

Rainwaterman wrote: »

He also got free travel for life with the ferry company over to France.

Did he ask them to put the ferry up on the beach?