D-Day Veteran Cecil Newton Dies at Age 101

Cecil Newton, one of the last surviving British veterans of the D-Day landings, has died peacefully at age 101. Newton, who served in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, was among the first to land on Gold Beach during the Normandy invasion in June 1944, facing heavy fire and surviving after his tank sank in a shell hole. Later that year, he was severely wounded in Germany, sustaining a leg injury and being shot three times, with bullet fragments remaining in his body for the rest of his life. After the war, Newton became a quantity surveyor and was dedicated to honoring the memory of his fallen comrades, frequently returning to Normandy and participating in commemorative events, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024. Tributes from family, historians, and public figures emphasized his bravery and commitment to remembrance. Newton's passing marks the loss of a direct witness to a pivotal moment in World War II history.