Tributes after D-Day hero who ‘watched from St Paul’s for German planes’ dies aged 99

The medals attest to a life that included service to his country of the very highest order 

Albert Wiltshire was one of those astonishingly brave men who took part in the D-Day landings – piloting the landing craft which ferried Canadian troops onto Juno beach in Normandy in June 1944. 

He had already been involved in the war effort in a big way by then. 

He was conscripted as a wireman (an electrician) in the Navy at the age of 18, and posted to Combined Operations which had been set up in 1940 during the Second World War by Winston Churchill to concentrate on offensive operations against the enemy. 

During the Blitz, based at St Paul’s, he served as a look-out for German bombers. 

It is a proud legacy to leave for his family and friends, who have had to bid farewell to the former naval officer, who has died at the age of 99.

Albert, who lived in St Helena Road, Rotherhithe, was married for 50 years, before losing his wife in 2012. They had two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

In 2017, Albert, who grew up in the East End, was awarded the French Legion d’honneur at the French Ambassador’s Residence in Knightsbridge. The Legion d’honneur is the highest decoration in France and is awarded for outstanding services to the nation. 

Those who knew him have fond memories of the man, as well as the wartime hero, who went on to become chief librarian at Tower Hamlets.

Dick Goodwin, vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which funds overseas trips and some essential travel for ex-military personnel on overseas trips, said: “The charity is always deeply saddened to lose one of our family.  

“Albert was a lovely jolly man with a wonderful character. It was always a pleasure to have him on our trips, he slotted in so well with everyone and was loved by all our volunteers and cab drivers.  

“An unassuming man who never wanted to be any trouble or inconvenience anyone – and he never was, and he never did.” 

Seb Philp, London taxi driver and Taxi Charity committee member said, “It was a pleasure having Albert in my taxi. I picked him up regularly because he lived close to me and I got to know him well. 

“He often talked to me about his time in London during The Blitz and how he used to do watches from Saint Paul’s for German planes. In Normandy together, on a Taxi Charity trip, he explained about letting Canadian troops, who he had got to know very well, off his landing ship on Juno Beach on D-Day, but never seeing them again.  

“Albert loved reading and listening to the radio. He was a wonderful man who enjoyed life to the full. I never once heard him complain and we will all miss him greatly.” 

Albert’s funeral will be held at St Gertrude’s Church, Rotherhithe, New Rd, London, on October 14.

Pictured top: Albert chats to a fellow navy man at Southwick House in Hampshire, where veterans meet, in April 2019 (Pictures: Dick Goodwin, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans)