D-day hero born in Clapham dies aged 97

A "greatly loved" D-day hero who landed on Sword Beach, Normandy, has died at the age of 97.

Ernest Aylott, known as Ernie, was born in Clapham and joined the Royal Army Service Corps in 1942, aged 19.

He went ashore with 15 Parachute Regiment on D Day, June 6 in 1944, landing on Sword Beach where he drove lorries loaded with ammunition to supply the front line. Mr Aylott continued to advance through France until the end of the war including to Arnhem, scene of the famous bridge. At one point he was strafed by a Messerschmitt.

Mr Aylott returned to south London after he was demobbed in 1946 and joined the building trade to work on houses that had been bombed during the Blitz. He later worked at the Tate Gallery as an attendant and chauffeur.

In 1947, Mr Aylott met his wife Joan, with whom he had two sons, Russell and Glenn. The couple later retired to Blandford, Dorset.

As a D Day veteran, Mr Aylott was entitled to the French Legion d'Honneur, France's highest honour, as well as the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star and his 1939 -1945 War medals for the rest of his wartime service.

But when SSAFA were contacted by his family to explain that he had never received the medals, SSAFA Dorset caseworker, Nicholas Bate contacted the MOD to obtain them on Mr Aylott's behalf.

He also succeeded in replacing Mr Aylott's Parachute Regiment beret and badge, which he lost in Normandy.

Ernie was presented with the campaign and war medals by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, at a formal investiture at Blandford Camp in 2016, watched by his family and SSAFA representatives.

In a small ceremony at his home last year, Ernie was presented with his Legion d'Honneur by Nicholas, who read out the official French Government citation in English.

Nicholas Bate, Dorset caseworker for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, paid tribute to Mr Aylott and his service.

"Ernie had a fantastic war record and it was a privilege for us to be able to help him obtain his well-earned campaign medals and Legion d'Honneur," he said.

"Ernie was a lovely man with an excellent sense of humour and strong values, and he was very proud of his service in the Second World War.

"He was a devoted family man and greatly loved by his wife Joan and sons Russell and Glenn."

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