Legion tribute as Britain’s oldest poppy seller dies at the age of 103
A YORKSHIREMAN thought to be Britain’s oldest poppy seller has died at the age of 103.
Ernest Carr, who was a member of the Guiseley branch of the Royal British Legion, often stood in Morrison’s supermarket in Yeadon, Leeds, on Remembrance Sunday raising funds for the armed forces.
Born in Horsforth in 1914, Mr Carr lived most of his life in Yeadon, and was a loyal volunteer for the Royal British Legion for more than 25 years.
Mr Carr served with the 59th Reconnaissance Regiment and landed in Normandy soon after D-Day in June 1944.
Later that year he was driving a Bren gun carrier when a shell landed nearby, killing a sergeant and an officer.
Danielle Neighbour, community fundraising manager at The Royal British Legion in Yorkshire, said: “We are saddened to hear that Ernest has passed away. He was a staunch supporter of the Legion and volunteered for more than 25 years for the Poppy Appeal.
“During that time he collected thousands of pounds to help us continue supporting the whole Armed Forces community so we are extremely grateful for his dedication to our cause. We are thinking of his family at this difficult time.”
Mr Carr peacefully passed away on Monday at the British Legion home in Ripon. Speaking to
in 2014 ahead of his 100th birthday, Mr Carr said it was important not to forget those who served.
He said: “Lads today, and those that went before me, gave all they had. They gave their lives for their country.”
Mr Carr recalled desperate Great War veterans selling matches on the streets of Leeds in the 1920s, which angered him.
Speaking at the time Elsie Turner, Guiseley branch secretary of the Royal British Legion, said: “Every year he puts a cross up at the Guiseley memorial garden for his mates who were killed and he also lays a wreath.”