Ken Hay, a British World War II veteran who landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day and later became a dedicated educator sharing his wartime experiences, has died at the age of 101.

Hay, originally from Upminster in east London, served with the 4th Dorset Infantry Regiment during the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944. He arrived at Courseulles-sur-Mer within days of the initial landings on June 6. On the night of July 7-8, while undertaking a patrol aimed at sabotaging an enemy self-propelled gun behind German lines, Hay and his unit were ambushed. Of the 30 men involved, 16 returned from the patrol, including Hay’s brother, a corporal, while five, including Hay, were captured; the remaining nine were presumed killed.

Following his capture, Hay was transported to Zabrze, then part of Germany and now located in Poland, where he was forced to work as a prisoner of war in a coal mine. As Soviet forces advanced, Hay and other prisoners were subjected to a grueling march of approximately 1,000 miles to a new location, during which many prisoners perished. Hay later recalled a moment when he was so exhausted and in pain that he considered giving up, but was saved by two comrades who supported him until they could continue.

He was liberated by American troops and returned to the United Kingdom via Reims on May 4, 1945, just days before Victory in Europe Day. Hay fondly remembered arriving at his mother’s home in Barking, where his family greeted him amidst the celebrations marking the war’s end in Europe.

After the war, Hay committed himself to educating younger generations about the realities of conflict. He frequently visited schools across Britain, sharing firsthand accounts and engaging with students, who affectionately dubbed him “Granddad Ken.” He believed it was his responsibility to convey the lessons of courage and resilience learned during the war.

In recognition of his community service, Hay was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He also received France’s Legion d’Honneur, one of the country’s highest distinctions. Reflecting on his outreach work, Hay recalled being asked by a 13-year-old student how conflicts might be prevented. His response referenced the power of empathy and love, emphasizing respect for oneself and others as a path toward peace.

Ken Hay is survived by his sons, Chris and Jeremy. The British Normandy Memorial praised him as an ambassador whose passion for education remained “unwavering” throughout his life.