A WAR veteran who witnessed the horrors of Normandy’s battlefields has died peacefully at his home at the age of 92.
Old soldier Laurence Richard Symes, known as Laurie, struggled for survival in 1944 as he fought across France and Holland.
The former sergeant major with the 7th Hampshire Regiment travelled to a small cemetery in Holland every year to lay a wreath on the grave of his best friend, Captain Hank Anaka, who died in Operation Market Garden.
On October 4, Sgt Maj Symes and the 131 men of D Company, including Capt Anaka, launched a dawn raid on an occupied factory.
In the chaos and confusion of the fierce battle Capt Anaka was cut down in a hail of bullets. He was just 26.
In an emotional interview with the Daily Echo at his Christchurch home back in April 2005, Laurie said: “The terror is waiting to go into battle; that’s when you’re frightened.
“All sorts of things go through your head. You worry whether you are going to let down your men or yourself. At one point I thought if there’s a bullet with my name on it there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Only 15 of his company survived the Normandy invasion. More were killed at Arnhem.
Laurie was national chairman of the Market Garden Veterans’ Association and president of the Hampshire Regiment Comrades Association.
The much-loved father and grandfather, described by his family as “a brave man right unto the end” died on June 3.
His funeral service was held at Hinton Park Woodland Burial Ground on June 16.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here