'Humble' WW2 D-Day veteran dies aged 101

Tributes have been paid to a D-Day veteran who has died at the age of 101.

Joe Bullock, from Stourbridge, in the West Midlands, served on landing craft and small naval vessels that took troops from ships to Juno beach during the Normandy landings in World War Two.

He was presented with the Freedom of Dudley when he celebrated his 100th birthday last year and was president of the Stourbridge branch of the Royal Naval Association.

Cat Eccles, the MP for Stourbridge, said: "I met Joe several times over the years and was moved by his humbleness.

"When he was awarded Freedom of the Borough by the mayor of Dudley, he told me he didn't know what all the fuss was about and asked me if I'd like to dance."

The Mayor of Dudley, Pete Lee, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Bullock.

"It was a such a privilege to meet him last October and grant him freedom of our borough."

The Royal Naval Association said Bullock had served from 1942 to 1946 and after the Normandy landings was posted to Singapore.

"Fair winds and calm seas shipmate," they said.

Dudley Sea Cadets said: "He will be sadly missed by a lot of people, Joe was one of a kind."

Keith Bojczuk, the vice-chairman of the Stourbridge Royal Naval Association, came up with the idea to hold a surprise 100th birthday party for him.

At the time he said: "He's such a humble man."

"He's only opened up over the last few years [about] his experiences at D-Day. And you can tell when he's talking about it, he's got that tear in his eye still."

He said Bullock played crown green bowls up until 2024 and loved a glass of rum.

The Stourbridge Royal British Legion said he had been "the most humble man you could ever meet".

It also said he made regular appearances at veterans' breakfasts and "his enthusiasm for life was infectious".

Suzanne Webb, the former MP for Stourbridge, said: "He was someone who lit up a room whenever you met him.

"When I last interviewed him and asked what he wanted from the younger generations, he said he wanted us all to be kinder to one another.

"He wasn't wrong there."

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