Caddington WW2 veteran Douglas Baldwin dies aged 100

A Second World War veteran who fought in Normandy as a youth before becoming a prisoner of war has died aged 100, a charity has said.

Douglas Baldwin, from Caddington, Bedfordshire, served with the 6th Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB).

At just 18 years old, he landed in northern France in June 1944, three weeks after D-Day. He was later captured by German forces and forced to work in coal mines for nine months in several Stalag camps.

The Military Veterans’ Taxi Assistance Association, which helped Mr Baldwin make several trips to Normandy, said it was “saddened” to hear of his death.

“We honor Doug’s extraordinary life, courage and sacrifice and remember him with gratitude and respect,” the statement said.

Mr. Baldwin, one of seven children, Celebrating its 100th birthday in NovemberSheerness grew up in Kent.

During an interview in 2024, he said he remembered the “drone of engines” as enemy bombers flew over the Thames estuary.

He signed up for army training at Colchester and was held in reserve before being sent to Normandy in a landing craft on 25 June 1944.

Mr Baldwin said: “I was pretty calm the whole way. It was still an adventure for me.”

He said many people waved and blew him kisses as he left British shores, adding: “I felt like a hero before I landed in Normandy.”

After landing he crossed with his regiment into northern France, where he said: “There were many situations where there was no one to tell you what to do. You had to think for yourself.”

“There was little difference between being brave and being stupid.”

Mr Baldwin was captured alone in the village of Estry on 8 August the same year, after sheltering from German fire in a disused house and being stunned by a nearby explosion.

He said he was taken to a car with a gun pointed at his head, then transported to Germany on a railway truck, arriving at Stalag XII-A on 28 August.

He spent time in various camps before being liberated by Allied forces before returning home via Paris on 1 May 1945, a week before VE Day.

Despite his earlier difficulties, Mr Baldwin returned to Germany to serve in the Army of Occupation following the end of the war with the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

He later moved to the Luton area for work, describing himself as a “jack of all trades, master of none”, working in a variety of jobs including Vauxhall and Luton Airport.

He has visited Normandy many times through trips organized by Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, and received France’s highest military honor, the Légion d’honneur, in 2021 for his service.

Asked what the secret to a good life is in 2024, Mr. Baldwin replied: “The freedom to do what you want.”