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107-Year-Old WWII Vet Recalls Dunkirk, D-Day Dangers
20 Oct
Summary
- Colin Cole, 107, served in RAF during WWII, flying sea rescue missions.
- He was present at both Dunkirk evacuations and the D-Day landings.
- After the war, he retrained as a teacher, specializing in special needs.
Tributes are being paid to Colin Cole, a 107-year-old man from Gobowen, Shropshire, who served with distinction in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Cole's military career included flying sea rescue missions over the North Sea and English Channel. He also played a role in the Dunkirk evacuations and mapped enemy defensive positions by flying low over hostile territory.
Following his military service, Cole retrained as a teacher, beginning his career in Bromley, London, before moving to Shropshire with his wife. He became an early pioneer in teaching children requiring special educational assistance. In his later years, Cole continued to contribute to his community by volunteering with the police, monitoring CCTV cameras in Oswestry until the age of 105.
Friends remember Cole as a "total old-fashioned gentleman" who was "very fit" and "terribly intelligent." He often shared his life experiences, which spanned from his youth in Kent and his RAF service, following his father's military footsteps, to his educational career and volunteer work. His passing marks the end of a long and distinguished life dedicated to service and learning.
