Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 284
SOF | OBITUARIES
remained a constant source of comfort
anniversary, he was one of a crowd of
and inspiration to his officers, NCOs and
5,000 waiting in hot sun for the arrival of
men during the long winter months spent
Prince Charles.
on the banks of the river Maas. His very
tall figure, proceeding unconcernedly from
The happiest of all those chance moments
man to man under the most dangerous
of recognition occurred on 18 September
conditions in action, has won for him a
2011 when, at the age of 94, Ken attended
place of admiration and respect achieved
the annual war veterans’ commemoration
by the few in the campaign in North-West
at Venray. Ken was spotted in the crowd
Europe.“
by a Dutch historian wearing the ribbon
of the Knighthood of the MWO and he
On 24 April 1946 he was knighted by Royal
was joyously welcomed back by the Dutch
Decree, signed by Queen Wilhelmina, the
from supposed death. Within six weeks
only Briton to have received the honour,
he had been invested with the modern
with the Military William Order “for
version of the insignia and, in May 2012,
distinguishing himself during the battles
was received by Queen Beatrix. He was
leading to the liberation of the occupied
then given the medal of the City of Venray,
territory of The Netherlands through the
having already been given the freedom of
exercising of excellent deeds of valour,
Flers in 1994.
conduct and allegiance… an extraordinary
devotion to duty and great perseverance…
In May 2014, Ken was guest of honour
an inspiration for all in those glorious
at the Dutch Ambassador’s residence in
days.”
London to mark the 70th anniversary of
the liberation of The Netherlands – at
Ken believed in duty and in honouring
which he baptised the new Liberation
those who had given themselves in
Tulip. In 2014 he was, as the oldest living
service to their country. He attended
knight, the guest of honour in The Hague
commemoration services in The
at the televised Knighthood ceremony of
Netherlands, France and Belgium.
the fourth living Knight. In 2016 the French
In 1984 he was a leader at the 40th
Government awarded him the Légion
Normandy landings anniversary parade
d’Honneur.
at Arromanches. In 1994, at the 50th
anniversary, he was presented to Queen
On his 100th birthday in 2017, the Dutch
Elizabeth II at Bayeux Cemetery when his
Ambassador to the UK delivered a
fellow Old Framlinghamian, General Sir
personal letter of greeting from King
Patrick Howard-Dobson, then President
Willem-Alexander. Ken and his wife Trish
of the Royal British Legion, who was
then attended a special celebration at the
escorting the Queen, noticed Ken in the
Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in London,
crowds of veterans and brought the
organised by Lt Col Rob Arts, Dutch
Queen over to speak to him – a moment
Military Attaché to the UK, with members
never forgotten. In 2004, on the 60th
of Ken’s family, the Head of Framlingham
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