downsmail.co.uk
Comrades honour WWII ‘heroic’ glider pilot Des
AWWII glider pilot who became as famous for a fur coat as he did for his aerial heroics was given a warmsend-off at his funeral. A packed service at Vinters Park
Crematorium sawArnhem veteran DesPage,whodiedaged94, saluted by a number of elderly comrades in red berets. His best mate, Ian Kerr-Bonner
(94), was flown in by helicopter by theGazelle Squadron after he feared he would be unable to make the journey by road from his home in Pembrokeshire after breaking his hips. He saluted his friend of 74 years
from a wheelchair, honouring a promise that they would say farewell towhoever died first. Mr Kerr-Bonner said: “He was a
hero – Des never wavered. I didn’t think hewould go first.” In 1944,Mr Page had survived an
onslaught of enemy fire to safely land his craft full of soldiers before making an eight-mile trek across country, including wading through the River Rhine after an intense pe-
riod of house-to-house shooting. Drenched, Mr Page found, in a
house, a woman’s fur coat to wear which he brought back to England. Ten years later, he returned the
garment to its rightful owner, JoDe- Witt,withwhomhe struckupa last- ing friendship. Mr Page, who lived inEast Farleigh,was rememberedas “ever cheerful” andan inspirationto other
pilots.ArmyAir Corps officer Ben Rieper said itwas a pleasure to have known him and that he had “moulded us intowhowe are”. The Glider Pilot Regiment Soci- ety’s chairman, Jane Barkway-Har-
Red-beret com- rades of WWII glider pilot Des Page pay their respects at Vinters Park Crematorium
ney, said Mr Page’s send-off was “amazing”. Among themournerswasDowns
Mail President Dennis Fowle, who said: “Itwas a bigmilitary occasion with many of his now very elderly red-beret comrades lining the route and seen saluting. Des was a friend formany years andthiswas a fitting send-off.” MrPage livedin thePriory area of
East Farleigh and worked in sales after the war. Failing eyesight and health restricted his life in later years. See obituaries, page 32
News
Morris theft - CCTVimage
A CCTV image has been re- leased by police investigating the theft of a vintage vehicle. The 1965 green Morris Minor
van was stolen from Staple- hurst railway station car park on May 17. It had been
lovingly restored by its owner, and was used daily until the theft. The van was
seen the same day in Marden, being driven “er- ratically” before entering an es-
tate in the village. Investigator Steve Foster said:
“The owner of this van has had it for 20 years. His children grew up with the project and it is held in very special regard by the whole family.” Anyone with information is
urged to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text officers on 61016, ref 142 of 17/05/18. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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