Albert Fenton’s son pays tribute to his father, a D-Day hero, who passed away at 99, reflecting on his remarkable life and service.
Bath: The son of D-Day hero Albert Fenton has shared a heartfelt tribute after his dad passed away at 99. Albert was a true legend, called up in 1943 at just 18 years old.
During the Normandy invasion, he served with the Royal Army Service Corps. His job was crucial, helping to supply troops with everything they needed to fight.
Before the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Albert, who had Alzheimer’s, remembered his mother reassuring him that he would be home soon. He recalled sailing on June 6, 1944, not knowing what lay ahead.
When they reached Juno Beach, they had to wait on the ship until a road was made. The sounds of battle were terrifying, and he felt scared about what was to come.
Albert also witnessed the horrors of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, which was liberated by British forces in 1945. He described the awful smell and the sight of bodies piled up.
He remembered the moment they learned where they were and the shocking reality of the camp. It was a nightmare that no one could have prepared for.
Richard Dimbleby, a famous broadcaster, was among the first to report from the camp, and his emotional coverage became iconic. Albert recalled the grim scene of German soldiers forced to bury the dead.
After the war, Albert returned home to his mother and later married Gwendoline, a London evacuee. They had a long and loving marriage that lasted 65 years until her passing in 2015.
Albert was a proud father of six and had a big family with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023 and was cared for by his family.
His son Andrew said it best: “He was one-in-a-million. Everyone called him a hero, but to me, he’s always been my dad.” His funeral will be held in Bath on Friday.
