Funeral service for D-Day veteran Cecil Newton held today near Swindon
A funeral service for one of the last survivors of the D-Day Landings was held near Swindon today (Tuesday).
Normandy veteran Cecil Newton, who died aged 101 on May 1, has been honoured with a moving tribute from his family and friends at North Wiltshire Crematorium.
Cecil is widely remembered for his service as a gunner loader in a tank regiment during the Second World War, in which he lost half his comrades and older brother.
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But he was also a keen bird watcher, painter (always carrying a sketchbook), enjoyed learning French and even took up playing the piano in his later life.
His eldest son Paul delivered his eulogy.
Mourners also heard video messages from Mayor of Creully sur Seulles Thierry Ozenne and pupils of the Cecil Newton Primary School, from a French commune Cecil helped liberate in 1944.
After the war, Cecil qualified as a quantity surveyor and moved to Swindon.
He then relocated a stone’s throw away to Aldbourne with his wife Joy, where they built the house he lived in until his death.
Cecil was protective of his adopted home, playing an active role in preserving the few surviving barrows (large burial mounds) in the parish.
He lived through many profound changes in his life. But he confronted them all with courage, humility and humour.
He stayed in contact with his friends via email until just a few months before his death.
And he never stopped honouring his fallen comrades.
He set up memorials all over Normandy, often cycling between towns and villages.
He visited France for the final time last June for the 80th anniversary commemorations for D-Day.
Donations in his memory are being accepted for The Regimental Charity of the Royal Dragoon Guards, Friends of St Michael’s Church in Aldbourne and the Cecil Newton School.
Visit https://cecilnewton.muchloved.com/ if you wish to show your support.
