Great escaper’s final gift
A D-Day veteran who warmed hearts the world over when he ‘escaped’ from his care home to attend the 2014 commemorations in France has left his entire estate to UK marine lifesaving charity; The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Bernard Jordan passed away in early January, having charmed the nation with his real-life tale of derring-do in June 2014. Following the death of his wife just seven days later, the couple’s will was executed, revealing that the couple left almost their entire estate – circa £600,000 – to the RNLI.
Mr Jordan, who was an elected councillor for Hove Borough Council for 34 years, made headlines the world over in 2014 when he left The Pines care home in Hove unannounced, and was reported missing to Sussex Police the same evening. He turned up days later in Normandy where he had joined hundreds of other veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Bernard was dubbed ‘The Great Escaper’ after his amazing display of pluck and determination. It is believed that Bernard’s time in the Royal Navy during the Second World War left him with an affinity with people who spend time at sea; leading to this gift.
By Jake Frith
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