Hero veteran evicted and left homeless
A D-DAY hero suffering with cancer has been evicted from his bungalow and made homeless.
Former paratrooper Alfred Guenigault, 98, lived for seven years in the rented property with his carer daughter Deb Dean and son-in-law Bert. But the family is now staying in a hostel having been served with a “no-fault” eviction notice.
The local council has said it could be eight months before they can rehouse the family.
Alfred was one of the first Allied troops to land in Normandy on June 6, 1944. But he said his Second World War medals, including the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest gallantry award, now feel worthless because of the way he has been treated.
Deb said the private landlord at the bungalow in Ferndown, Dorset, is elderly and in poor health and his children need to sell the property.
But Dorset Council has only been able to find her frail father a single room with a hospital-style bed in a hostel in neighbouring Verwood.
Duty
Alfred, who also has severe kidney disease, has to share a kitchen and bathroom. Deb and Bert are living in a separate room in the same hostel.
The family say Alfred’s treatment does not meet the Government’s Armed Forces Covenant, an act that recognises the nation has a moral duty to take care of former servicemen.
After the war,Alfred worked as a London taxi driver and ran a hotel on the south coast with his wife of 69 years Joy, who died in 2015.
Deb, 66, said: “We are told we could be in a hostel for six to eight months and it’s very unfair on him.
“My concern is that in six months, he may not even be here anymore.”
She added: “My father fought in the war and this is the treatment he gets.
“He is so proud of his medals but he has told me they seem worthless because of what he is going through.”
Alfred added: “My grandchildren will not be able to stay in the hostel.”
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “We have support workers who can provide additional support to the family. The council takes the Military Covenant very seriously.”