Henry Rice spoke to GB News
D Day veteran Henry Rice described the men who stormed the beaches on D Day as ‘my heroes’ and said the memory of them remains in the back of his mind.
Mr Rice, who was a signaller in the British Armed Forces, also revealed that Queen Camilla ‘could out talk’ him and said he was ‘a little bit in love.’
Speaking on GB News veteran Henry Rice said: “As a male am I allowed to say, ‘almost tearful’ in remembrance?
“I was on a landing ship and remained on the landing ship. I did not come ashore at all. We delivered, basically, they were fascines which we were under the impression were going for use by the Canadians, and they would be taken ashore, possibly laid in not shallow rivers, but not rivers and streams to allow the lorries and everything to cross them.
“So they would sink them on the bed of the river or the stream, put the plank in on top and allow the Army to continue their advance.
“It’s important to me for personal reasons. I find it very difficult. I can put a big face on, laughing and joking and everything. But went was on here, that memory that is sticking back here [of his mind] of the lads that are still here.
“They're my heroes. I can't help it. Yes of course, the Air Force were also heroic. My fellow shipmates were heroic. But somehow or other, it's the mental picture of these lads running up this beach under fire.
“I'm afraid if I permit myself, then I get emotional and have to walk away. I really do admire them, and I’m so proud of them, truly.
“I do accept [that he was a hero] up to a point, but I still can't help feeling that bit of embarrassment in their company.
“Can I say just coming over here, people do ask me what it feels like in the onset, 18 years of age, 50% excitement, and the other 50% is apprehension - not quite sure.
“Let’s change that 50% to scared.
“I was just scared of the unknown. Even the soldiers that were on the beach, they really didn’t know what the hell they were going to run into.
“I was overwhelmed with her [Queen Camilla].
“It's not the first time I've seen her. I've seen her a couple of times in London on different things, but today I had the opportunity to talk to her, and she could out-talk me, if she wants to!
“Sorry. Perhaps I shouldn't say it about a Royal but I’m afraid I’ve fallen in love with her a little bit.”
