The nation is remembering the remarkable life of Second World War hero Doug Baldwin, who has passed away at the age of 100. The news was confirmed by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which expressed deep sadness at his loss.
A Young Soldier's Normandy Journey
Doug Baldwin was just 18 years old when he landed in northern France on June 25, 1944, three weeks after the D-Day invasions. Serving with the 6th Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), he arrived via landing craft, viewing the experience as an adventure. He recalled people waving and blowing kisses as he left British shores, saying he felt like a hero before even reaching Normandy.
Growing up in Sheerness, Kent, as one of seven children, he had enlisted for army training in Colchester. In a 2024 interview, he remembered the drone of enemy bomber engines over the Thames estuary from his youth. His time on the front line in France was defined by chaos and self-reliance. "There were many occasions where there was nobody to tell you what to do. You had to think for yourself," he told the Press Association. "There was very little difference between being brave or stupidity."
Capture, Captivity and Liberation
His service was brutally interrupted on August 8, 1944, in the village of Estry. After taking cover in a disused house and being stunned by an explosion, he was captured alone by German forces. A gun was pointed at his head before he was transported to Germany in a railway truck, arriving at Stalag 12A on August 28.
He spent nine months as a prisoner of war, moved between multiple Stalag camps and forced to work in coal mines. His ordeal finally ended with liberation by Allied forces in 1945. He returned home via Paris on May 1, just one week before VE Day, vividly remembering the sun rising over the White Cliffs of Dover.
A Full Life of Service and Family
In a testament to his resilience, Mr Baldwin returned to Germany after the war with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, serving in the Army of Occupation. He later relocated to the Luton area for work, describing himself as a "jack of all trades, master of none". His career included roles at Vauxhall and Luton Airport.
He married his second wife, Sheena, in 1953 and lived for many years in Caddington, Bedfordshire. He remained connected to his wartime experiences, visiting Normandy multiple times on trips organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. In 2021, France awarded him the Legion d'honneur, its highest military honour, in recognition of his service.
In a statement, the Taxi Charity said: "We honour Doug’s remarkable life, courage, and sacrifice, and we remember him with gratitude and respect. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him." His story stands as a powerful tribute to the courage and sacrifice of his generation.
