12-03-2019, 11:28 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-li...e-50645045
A veteran who escaped Dunkirk by paddling out to sea on a shed door has died at the age of 101.
Les Rutherford became trapped while fighting a rear-guard action during the evacuation of the port.
He and a fellow soldier used the door, which had been blown off a shed, to escape out to sea, where they were picked up by a French trawler.
Tributes paid to Mr Rutherford described him as "a wonderful man who will be sorely missed".
Talking previously about his exploits in Dunkirk, Mr Rutherford said: "The place was being bombed to bits.
"There was absolutely no hope, so another chap and I decided to take this big door which had been blown off a shed and we put out to sea."
Wow, that escape must have required a tremendous amount of bravery . I'm glad he succeeded, and was rewarded for it with such a long life.
Nevertheless, it's still very sad that it's over. My condolences to his friends and family - and my thanks for his honourable and heroic service during our hour of need.
A veteran who escaped Dunkirk by paddling out to sea on a shed door has died at the age of 101.
Les Rutherford became trapped while fighting a rear-guard action during the evacuation of the port.
He and a fellow soldier used the door, which had been blown off a shed, to escape out to sea, where they were picked up by a French trawler.
Tributes paid to Mr Rutherford described him as "a wonderful man who will be sorely missed".
Talking previously about his exploits in Dunkirk, Mr Rutherford said: "The place was being bombed to bits.
"There was absolutely no hope, so another chap and I decided to take this big door which had been blown off a shed and we put out to sea."
Wow, that escape must have required a tremendous amount of bravery . I'm glad he succeeded, and was rewarded for it with such a long life.
Nevertheless, it's still very sad that it's over. My condolences to his friends and family - and my thanks for his honourable and heroic service during our hour of need.
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