War veteran has song brought to life after his death

A song written by a D-Day veteran who died earlier this year has been brought to life.

Donald Rose was Britain’s oldest man at 110 and was being looked after at Canal Vue Care Home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, when he died in July.

After World War Two ended, he wrote the lyrics for the song called As My Guns Fall Silent, but never had it lifted from the page.

Now, his friend and carer, Naomi Allsop, with the help of Derbyshire musician Matt Henshaw, has arranged for it to be turned into something for everyone to hear.

Donald served in the Queen’s Royal Regiment as a sniper in World War Two – surviving a bullet to the leg during the D-Day landings.

The veteran, originally from Westcott, Surrey, joined the regiment at the age of 25 and served in North Africa and Europe.

He went to become a recipient of France’s highest award – the French Legion of Honour.

Last year, Naomi shared her wish to turn the words he wrote after the war into a tribute song.

And in collaboration with Ilkeston musician, Matt Henshaw, that wish has come true.

Naomi said: “I knew Donald for five years. He would sing this song all the time.

“I put a post out around this time last year on social media to see if anyone would be interested in helping me.

“We had a bucket list, Donald and I, and the last thing on it was to make this song.

“Whenever I hear it, it gives me goose bumps.

“Obviously he’s not with us now, but he would be amazed. I can’t believe it’s become what it has.

“The song is a tribute to our veterans, our service men and women, and everyone we remember.

“He risked his life to help save all of ours. I hope people can give this a listen to pay him back in a small way.”

Matt Henshaw spotted a post about Donald becoming Britain’s oldest man in a local newspaper.

“There was a little snippet in the article from Naomi that said he’d written a poem following the war and it was his dream for it to be made into a song,” he said. “So I thought I’d get in touch and try and do something.

“I worked on this for the last eight to 10 months. I know he heard the early samples of it. He sadly died while I was away so I couldn’t pay my respects, unfortunately.

“But, hopefully, releasing this will be a fitting way to mark his life and I hope people can get behind it.”

The musician added all proceeds would go to the Royal British Legion and the Not Forgotten Organisation.