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Henry Rice, a World War Two veteran who once narrowly escaped a torpedo attack while serving aboard HMS Eastway during the Normandy landings, has passed away at the age of 100. Hailing from Cranleigh, Surrey, Rice played a critical role as a signalman, arriving at Juno Beach five days after the initial D-Day invasion. Throughout his life, he was recognized for his bravery and dedication, receiving the Legion d’honneur from the French government in acknowledgment of his service.
Rice was passionate about educating younger generations on the importance of the Normandy landings, emphasizing the need for schools to teach more about this historic event, especially given the current global tensions. A representative from the Spirit of Normandy Trust, a charity supporting veterans, fondly described Rice as “a great character, with a cheeky smile that endeared him to everyone he met.” In June of this year, Rice returned to Normandy for a remembrance service, an experience he said “meant everything” to him. Reflecting on his life, he remarked, “I’ve had a super lifetime.”
The Normandy invasion, carried out on 6 June 1944, involved Allied forces from the UK, the US, Canada, and France launching a massive assault against German positions in northern France. Rice’s role involved delivering vehicles, personnel, and equipment, supporting what was the largest combined military operation in history aimed at liberating Nazi-occupied northwest Europe. Following this, Rice’s naval journey continued as he was stationed in Malta, the Gulf, and parts of Asia including Sri Lanka, Burma, and Singapore. During one close encounter, a torpedo was fired towards his vessel but passed harmlessly beneath it, a near-miss he survived.
Earlier this year, family and friends gathered to celebrate Rice’s 100th birthday. Despite his remarkable history, Rice modestly noted that veterans like himself typically shared their wartime stories quietly among peers. He humorously said, “At home or with friends, you just say ‘yeah, I was a matelot mate’.” Committed to honouring fallen comrades, he regularly attended remembrance ceremonies across the UK, including the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey and the Cenotaph Parade. Highlighting his significant role in commemorations, he handed Queen Camilla the final ceramic poppy during the VE Day 80th anniversary event. One of his last acts of remembrance was meeting a fellow D-Day veteran to share memories of the invasion. The Spirit of Normandy expressed deep condolences, saying, “He will be greatly missed by all.”
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