D-Day tribute for veteran

APortlethen care home has marked the anniversary of the D-Day landings in honour of their resident veteran.

Lethen Park Care Home marked the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6 with a tribute to veteran James Gordon.

Mr Gordon, who was in the Black Watch Regiment, was in Greenock on D-Day waiting to board a troop ship called Cape Town Castle.

He said: “It took us 10 days to get there, we slept in hammocks in the boat. Once the ship docked, I was then stationed in Egypt.”

The 56 residents remembered all of those involved in the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history earlier this week.

Mr Gordon, who was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last year for services to the community of Alford, thanked the Lethen Park team for organising “such a lovely tribute” which also involved a sweet and savoury afternoon tea for everyone to enjoy.

He added: “It is really important that we keep the memories of those who fought alive, and think of those involved in conflicts around the world today.”

Lynne Rennie, general manager at Lethen Park, said: “D-Day is such an important day in history, and commemorating the event allows us to think about lives that have been lost, and reminds us of the people still putting their lives on the line.”

HOME FRONT: James Gordon at Lethen Park and, left, with family during the war.