Hero of Arnhem

Veteran, 95, receives medal 77 years on

A HEROIC 95-year-old Second World War veteran of the battle that inspired the film A Bridge Too Far has been honoured 77 years on.

William “Roy” Cook of the Irish Guards was awarded a Dutch Liberation Medal.

And being the true soldier, he stood up straight, before leaning forward for the presentation.

Friend Michael Dawson said Roy was badly wounded in Operation Market Garden – the push through Holland to relieve paratroopers at Arnhem in 1944.

He was impaled in his stomach and legs on spikes. But the trap may have saved his life.

After being taken to a military hospital, he discovered that nine comrades had been killed.

Connections

Michael said: “Roy was involved in a lot of fighting. They had been trying to get close to a machine-gun post.They went through a cemetery, and he dived through the grave digger’s house [where] the Germans had put spikes in the ground. He recovered from his injuries, but they were pretty awful.

“The Dutch government decided to thank their liberators while they’re still alive. It was wonderful.

“He was very moved and pleased. He’s a lovely chap, a true gentleman and a real guardsman – he still holds himself up very straight.

“He was friends with the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother through connections with the guards regiment.”

Roy was awarded the medal at his home in Hythe, Kent, by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Arts, the military attache at the Dutch Embassy. He was joined by wife Annette and daughter Sandra, who said: “I couldn’t have been prouder.”

The 1977 film starring Michael Caine told the epic story.