Tributes to D-Day veteran who has died aged 100

A World War Two veteran who was an officer during D-Day has died aged 100, his family says.

Tony Winterburn survived bomb raids and other attacks while serving in the Merchant Navy, taking part in the perilous Arctic convoys of 1943 that transported aid to Russia, and later carrying troops to the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944.

Winterburn celebrated his 100th birthday on 7 January at Burnham Lodge nursing home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, with his two daughters Janine Wharmby and Miranda Ibbetson.

Ibbetson said his family are "so proud of his legacy".

Winterburn joined the Merchant Navy as a radio officer in 1942 at the age of 16.

In 1943, he was part of a convoy of ships taking cargo to Russia.

He later served as a radio officer aboard the SS Stanridge, which transported 600 troops, vehicles, and landing craft to Gold Beach on 6 June 1944, now known as D-Day.

For his efforts during the war, he was awarded France's National Order of the Legion of Honour and an Arctic Star medal.

Ibbetson said her father also played an active part in local life, and he had friendships dating back 40, 50 and more years ago.

"He was well known in Burnham on Sea and beyond, whether it was for his time as a Somerset County Councillor for Highbridge, a Trustee of BARB Search & Rescue, or a Trustee of Burnham RNLI," she said.

"We are thrilled to have received some very kind messages of condolence, many of which refer to his commitment and loyalty shown to those community responsibilities and to the respect in which he was held. We are so proud of his legacy.

"He has left us an archive of stories of his experiences in the merchant navy including taking part in the Arctic Convoys and D-Day in the 2nd World War, and then after the war, life on a whaling expedition off South Georgia, and on Hull trawlers in the north Atlantic. A rich source of complete entertainment."

UK charity Veterans' Foundation posted about his achievements to mark Winterburn's100th birthday in January.

Writing on Facebook, it said: "His bravery and service have rightly been recognised over the years.

"Tony was awarded the Arctic Star by the Government and, in 2007, received a Burnham and Highbridge Civic Award for his outstanding dedication to the local community.

"More recently, he was contacted by the Russian Embassy regarding a commemorative medal marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War."

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