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D-day veteran Bernard Jordan’s wife Irene dies aged 88 D-day veteran Bernard Jordan’s wife Irene dies aged 88
(about 2 hours later)
The wife of a war veteran who slipped away from his care home to attend last year’s 70th anniversary D-day events in France has died – just days after his death.The wife of a war veteran who slipped away from his care home to attend last year’s 70th anniversary D-day events in France has died – just days after his death.
Irene Jordan, 88, died on Tuesday evening, a week after the death of her husband, Bernard, who was nicknamed the Great Escaper after his cross-Channel adventure last summer.Irene Jordan, 88, died on Tuesday evening, a week after the death of her husband, Bernard, who was nicknamed the Great Escaper after his cross-Channel adventure last summer.
He died in hospital aged 90 on 30 December – six months after he captured the nation’s hearts when he travelled to D-day events in Normandy wearing his war medals.He died in hospital aged 90 on 30 December – six months after he captured the nation’s hearts when he travelled to D-day events in Normandy wearing his war medals.
The managing director of Gracewell Healthcare, which runs The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, where the couple lived, confirmed Irene Jordan’s death.The managing director of Gracewell Healthcare, which runs The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, where the couple lived, confirmed Irene Jordan’s death.
Amanda Scott said: “Irene and Bernie will both be much missed by everyone at the home and our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family at this sad time.”Amanda Scott said: “Irene and Bernie will both be much missed by everyone at the home and our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family at this sad time.”
Brighton and Hove’s mayor, Brian Fitch, paid tribute to the Jordans. He said: “They were a very close couple who will both be sadly missed. Irene went into the care home first after Bernie had looked after her at home, so it came as a bit of a shock that he died first.Brighton and Hove’s mayor, Brian Fitch, paid tribute to the Jordans. He said: “They were a very close couple who will both be sadly missed. Irene went into the care home first after Bernie had looked after her at home, so it came as a bit of a shock that he died first.
“They had been married for more than 50 years and were a devoted couple. After he had gone, she probably gave up the will. They were religious people who are now reunited together.”“They had been married for more than 50 years and were a devoted couple. After he had gone, she probably gave up the will. They were religious people who are now reunited together.”
A ceremony celebrating their lives will be held at All Saints church in Hove on 30 January followed by a private funeral, Fitch added.A ceremony celebrating their lives will be held at All Saints church in Hove on 30 January followed by a private funeral, Fitch added.
A minute’s silence will be held at the next full meeting of Brighton and Hove council.A minute’s silence will be held at the next full meeting of Brighton and Hove council.
Bernard Jordan’s disappearance triggered a police search on 5 June and his whereabouts emerged only when a younger second world war veteran phoned that night to say he had met him and he was safe.Bernard Jordan’s disappearance triggered a police search on 5 June and his whereabouts emerged only when a younger second world war veteran phoned that night to say he had met him and he was safe.
Jordan, a former Royal Navy member and ex-mayor of Hove, told reporters on his return that his aim was to remember his fallen “mates”.Jordan, a former Royal Navy member and ex-mayor of Hove, told reporters on his return that his aim was to remember his fallen “mates”.
He had decided to join British veterans, most making their final pilgrimage to revisit the scene of the allied invasion.He had decided to join British veterans, most making their final pilgrimage to revisit the scene of the allied invasion.
About 156,000 allied troops landed on the five beaches on 6 June 1944, the start of an 80-day campaign to liberate Normandy that involved three million soldiers and costing 250,000 lives. About 156,000 allied troops landed on the five beaches on 6 June 1944, the start of an 80-day campaign to liberate Normandy that involved three million soldiers and cost 250,000 lives.
Jordan had hoped to return to Normandy this June. Brittany Ferries, which carried him across the Channel last summer, offered him free crossings to D-day events for the rest of his life after learning of his exploits.Jordan had hoped to return to Normandy this June. Brittany Ferries, which carried him across the Channel last summer, offered him free crossings to D-day events for the rest of his life after learning of his exploits.
Following his death, the Royal British Legion said Jordan’s decision to go to France highlighted “the spirit that epitomises the second world war generation”.Following his death, the Royal British Legion said Jordan’s decision to go to France highlighted “the spirit that epitomises the second world war generation”.
On his 90th birthday, days after he returned from his escapade, he was inundated with more than 2,500 birthday cards from around the world.On his 90th birthday, days after he returned from his escapade, he was inundated with more than 2,500 birthday cards from around the world.
Jordan was later made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove in a special ceremony at Brighton town hall.Jordan was later made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove in a special ceremony at Brighton town hall.
Others to have also receive the honour, include Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, former Olympic champion Steve Ovett, and first world war hero Henry Allingham, who became the world’s oldest man before his death at 113 in 2009. Others to have also received the honour include Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, former Olympic champion Steve Ovett, and first world war hero Henry Allingham, who became the world’s oldest man before his death at 113 in 2009.