Heroic Dougie Shelley: A World War Two Legend

On March 31st, we've lost a true World War II hero from Essex, named Dougie Shelley.

He passed away on March 21st at the age of 100.

Shelley served in the tough Arctic convoys and played a key role on D-Day as a seamen

gunner aboard the Destroyer HMS Milne.

He joined the Royal Navy when he was just 17 years old.

During the Normandy landings in June 1944, he helped guard troops heading to shore, facing

real danger in those waters.

He showed massive love for his 100th birthday back in September, and appealed led to more

than 16,000 cards pouring in from all over the world, including notes from the King and Queen,

plus Prime Minister Sir, Keir Starmer.

Shelley earned France's top honor, the Legion Donor, with the news breaking right on his birthday.

Local Royal Naval Association members called him way more than a veteran, a genuine hometown legend.

The Royal Naval Association shared their sadness, sending him off with fair winds and

following seas.

Stories like Dougies keep that wartime spirit alive for all of us.