Last of The Few: D-Day veteran, 100, recalls his ordeal

Thousands of troops landed at Gold Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Joining the first wave was Cecil Newton, a gunner loader in a tank crew tasked with securing a bridgehead.

But the troops were met with fierce German resistance, which claimed up to 1,000 lives across all units.

Today (Thursday), he is meeting our reporter at a service to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Creully sur Seulles, a French commune he helped liberate.

Mr Newton served for more than three years in the 4th Troop ‘B’ Squadron of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.

More than 100 of his comrades and close friends were killed – including his older brother.

Recalling his ordeal, he previously told newburytoday: “It was criminal, they should be killed like that. That’s what happens.

“It shouldn’t happen, but it's still going on.”

On D-Day, he said mines scattered along the beach posed the biggest threat to their tanks and infantry.

One caused his tank to sink in a shell crater concealed by shallow water.

From landing at Normandy, Mr Newton saw further action through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

He was badly wounded at an ambush in November 1944, from which a bullet remains lodged near his heart to this day.

Visit https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/d-day-veteran-urges-peace-9296904/ to read our full interview with Mr Newton.

Mr Newton, now aged 100, lives in Aldbourne in the house he built.