Ref. 25586-75RETURN TO THE BEACH FEATURE: Although he is a Cockney through and through Bill is proud of his acquired Wiltshire roots and lives in Wroughton.

He has two children, Steven, a retired police officer, and daughter Frances who is a health visitor. They have given him five grandchildren.

His Wiltshire connection comes through his wife Barbara, who sadly died three years ago after a debilitating illness.

He met when he was glider training at Keevil during the war and two of his colleagues also married girls who came from Bradford-on-Avon.

After the war he didn't want to get married because he didn't think he was fit enough and didn't want to be a burden on anyone.

"But Barbara said 'I'm prepared to take a chance on you' and then I somehow managed to outlive her," he said.

"But I miss her dreadfully every day."

Getting work for someone who was registered 90 per cent disabled was difficult.

He couldn't get a mortgage and his insurance policies were heavily loaded.

"Damn Prudential," he said. " But I showed them in the end and they're still having to pay me."

He managed to get a job with his brother-in-law in the building trade and then he borrowed money from his family to buy two cottages which he renovated, repaired and converted. When that was finished he had a place to live, sold the other property to repay his debts and he had some capital to continue work.

He freely admits that while his little building business was no great shakes he made enough to employ other people and make a good living to raise a family.

" I have to laugh, there I was in the building business humping hundredweight bags of cement around.

"When they kept checking my disability because I was working and never off sick they reduced it to 70 per cent and than to 50 per cent. They don't like paying, do they."

Bill is something of a celebrity. His exploits are covered in a number of books about the war and he often speaks at public functions.

Not only did he speak at Pegasus Bridge to our coach party but he gave the exhortation at the British cemetery in Bayeux.

The sun is not going down on this man.

At 83 he doesn't even have a TV.

"I've managed for the last 40 years and I just don't have the time," he said.

Pleased to help with the trip

Care on Call UK joined with the Evening Advertiser in sponsoring our veterans' trip to Normandy.

Care on Call UK provides 24 hour support for elderly people throughout Swindon and the surrounding area.

Sue White, director Care on Call UK, was 100 per cent behind the trip. "I'm really pleased that our company was able to help," she said.

The company is a family run organisation that aims to help the elderly physically, mentally and emotionally.

How to book your place

Next year is the 60th anniversary of D-Day and here at the Evening Advertiser through our Reader Travel Department and Travelscope we are planning special trips for people who wish to go to Normandy. If you would like to receive a brochure please contact Barbara Challis on 01793 528144 or ring the Reader Travel hotline on 01793 520468.