First off the boat into hell of D-Day
Soldier who stormed beaches to end Nazi occupation remembered
ONE of Scotland’s last D-Day heroes has died at the age of 93.
John McIlroy Shanks was just 19 when he stormed the Normandy beaches during the Allied invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944.
Two years ago, he returned for the first time to the place where he helped begin the liberation of Europe – accompanied by his sons and other veterans.
Great-grandad John, from Falkirk, served as a combat engineer, making bridges so that tanks and infantry soldiers could push towards Nazi Germany. He died at home on July 3 surrounded by family after a short illness. His funeral was held on Saturday.
In 2016, he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French for his service – 100 years after his father was given the Croix de Guerre in World War I.
John said of his journey to northern France: “It was a great trip, although there were emotional times.” He was treated as a hero everywhere he went as he wore his Legion d’Honneur.
At Bayeux Cathedral, he was stopped by a German tourist who said “respect” for his bravery.
At the time, John said his unit lost a lot of men on the bloody beaches during D-Day. He said: “I would have given Roger Bannister a run for his money as we tried to get off the beach. Planes were strafing it.
“I was first off the boat. Maybe I was stupid but I said, ‘I’m getting off this boat first’.”