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Albert Lamond, one of the last remaining Scottish veterans of the D-Day landings, has passed away at the age of 100. Born and raised in Glasgow’s east end, Lamond joined the Royal Navy in 1943 at just 18 years old. He served as a signalman aboard HMS Rowley during the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. His role was critical, as HMS Rowley operated around the battleship HMS Warspite, acting as a first line of defense where sailors were expected to face grave dangers.
In addition to his involvement in the European theatre, Lamond also served in the Pacific during the final stages of World War II. In 1945, he participated in missions that involved evacuating prisoners of war from isolated islands and transporting them to Australia. Reflecting on these experiences, Lamond recalled the rescued prisoners as “like living skeletons,” though he noted that despite their suffering, they were still able to smile. He later sailed as part of an American fleet preparing to invade Japan, but the war ended before that operation took place. “It was the end. It was a relief it was over and it was finished. It was good to get home,” Lamond said.
Lamond’s family emphasized his humility, saying he “never thought of himself as a hero” and believed he was simply “doing his duty.” His nephew Martin expressed the family’s deep sense of loss, explaining that Albert carried the memory of his fallen comrades throughout his life. “Not only have Albert’s friends and family suffered a great loss, everyone has, even if they never had the pleasure of knowing him,” Martin said. “We are incredibly proud of him and grateful for the time we had.”
Following his wartime service, Lamond worked on the railways and eventually resided at the McKellar House in Renfrewshire, a facility managed by the Erskine veterans’ charity. Ian Cumming, the charity’s chief executive and a wing commander, spoke fondly of Lamond’s personality: “Albert represented the very best of his generation. He spoke honestly about his service, not to glorify war, but to make sure people understood its cost.” Cumming added, “We won’t forget the ever-present twinkle in Albert’s eye. We were truly privileged to care for and support him in later life.
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