Norfolk D-Day veteran gets medal before 100th birthday party

David Woodrow celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday surrounded by family and friends, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day being marked next month.

That followed being visited by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Piso on Sunday, who was sent by the Dutch government to present Mr Woodrow a liberation medal for his conduct in Holland as part of the RAF's 652 Air Observation Post Squadron.

David Woodrow celebrating his 100th birthday with a drink (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

An Auster aircraft at the airfield at Plumetot in France, which David Woodrow helped to make (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Mr Woodrow's son, Stuart, 61, said: "He was trained in the RAF and would fly over No Man's Land to spot where the Germans were in order to direct the artillery, as well as provide photo-reconnaissance.

"He was part of the advanced party which landed on D-Day to make the airfield.

"He was overcome by the gratitude shown by the Dutch people and took his birthday in stride - he's really enjoyed the last few days.

D-Day veteran David Woodrow, proudly stands at Gold Beach in 2019, 75 years after landing there (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Normandy veteran David Woodrow, 100, who received the Dutch Liberators medal on May 19 (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"It's a great milestone for him - there's been so much change throughout the world during his life."

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After the war Mr Woodrow moved to farming, buying a farm at Topcroft, near Long Stratton, and only stopping at 96 years old to pass it on to his son.

David Woodrow was with the RAF between March 24, 1943 to March 24, 1947 (Image: Newsquest)

David Woodrow with his card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Mr Woodrow was admitted to Saxlingham Hall Nursing Home four weeks ago, for palliative care, due to heart failure.

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Stuart added: "I'm really proud of what he's achieved in his life - from financial difficulty - to build and do what he's done both his time at war and afterwards.

David Woodrow in Berlin during the war (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Normandy veteran David Woodrow, 100, with Lt Col Richard Piso (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"He always has time to talk and advise - just a great person to know.

"I once asked him what made and shaped him into the man he is and after about 10 minutes he said 'it's the people I've met down the road of life' - he really is a people person."