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When the last member of Jersey’s Normandy Veterans Association returned from war, he said "Jersey people didn't want to know" his story – but, after he passed away this week, islanders have shared his tale far and wide in tribute.
Much-loved Normandy veteran Billy Reynolds died this week aged 100.
The father-of-three was one of two surviving islanders to have fought in the historic campaign, which laid the foundations for the Allied victory in the Second World War, and the last member of Jersey’s Normandy Veterans Association.
Mr Reynolds, who was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’Honneur, for his actions throughout the war, was a regular face in the D-Day and Remembrance Services over the years, alongside a sadly ever reducing number of fellow veterans.
Former Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers driver Ernest Thorne is now the island’s last surviving Normandy veteran.
Pictured: Bill Reynolds (right) meeting the then Prince Charles.
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq was among those who paid tribute to Mr Reynolds today.
“It was with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of Billy Reynolds yesterday morning," he said.
"Billy was a decorated veteran and well known among the local veteran community.
"I recall with pleasure Billy meeting their Royal Highnesses, the then Earl and Countess of Wessex, last year during which he was championed as a Veteran of D-Day.
"An active member of the Normandy Veterans association he will be deeply missed and my condolences go to his immediate family and the close veteran community.”
Mr Reynolds was born in London in 1923 and moved to Jersey with his family at the age of three. Having been evacuated back to England in 1940, he joined up and served in the Company of Guards Armoured Division.
Pictured: Mr Reynolds was the last member of Jersey’s Normandy Veterans Association.
After D-Day on 6 June 1944, Mr Reynolds was among those who landed on the French coast in the days that followed, subsequently taking part in the Allied advance across northern France that was recognised as one of the pivotal phases of World War II.
After being demobbed in 1946, Mr Reynolds returned to the island and worked in food wholesaling, as well as being recognised as one of the island's leading racing drivers. He was married to Doreen from 1950 until her death in 2019, and the couple had a son and two daughters, as well as six grandchildren.
Mr Reynolds received a card from King Charles III, delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, for his 100th birthday in June this year.
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