Ken Hay, Normandy veteran and educator, dies aged 101

Ken Hay, a Normandy veteran who survived capture weeks after D-Day and dedicated years to educating children about the Second World War, has died at the age of 101. His death was announced on Sunday by the British Normandy Memorial, for which he served as an ambassador.

The British Normandy Memorial stated in a social media announcement that his "passion for education was unwavering." The organisation added that countless schoolchildren he met affectionately nicknamed him ‘Grandad Ken’ due to his stories of courage and resilience. The memorial extended its condolences to Mr Hay's sons, Chris and Jeremy, his family, and friends, describing him as "an extraordinary gentleman whose remarkable life will never be forgotten."

Military Service and Capture

Mr Hay, who was from Upminster in East London, served with the 4th Dorset infantry regiment. He landed at Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandy a few days after the Allied invasion. He was captured during a night patrol on July 7-8, shortly after the D-Day landings. Following his capture, he was taken to Zabrze in Poland and forced to work in a coal mine as a prisoner of war.

Recalling his capture in 2024, Mr Hay told the Press Association that his initial feelings were of "dread" and "fear". He described how his patrol, which had set out to destroy an enemy gun, found themselves behind enemy lines. A confrontation ensued, resulting in his capture. Of the 30 men on his patrol, only 16 returned, with five, including Mr Hay, being taken prisoner.

As Russian forces advanced, prisoners were marched approximately 1,000 miles to a new location, a journey during which many died. Mr Hay recounted a moment during this three-month march when he felt too weak to continue, but two friends supported him. He and the surviving prisoners were eventually liberated by American troops and returned to the UK on May 4, 1945, via Reims. He was home in time for VE Day on May 8.

Post-War Life and Education

After the war, Mr Hay was appointed an MBE for his community service and also received the Legion d’Honneur, France's highest order of merit. He regularly visited British schools to share his wartime experiences and answer questions, believing it was his "duty to pass it on". He attended a remembrance service in Colleville-Montgomery earlier this year as part of commemorations for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

During one school visit, when asked by a 13-year-old girl how wars could be stopped, Mr Hay said he was initially stumped. He eventually responded by advising her to practice love: "Love yourself, your friends, your family at home, the people you met today, the people you met yesterday". He concluded that if everyone practised this, "there'd be no wars."