Britain has bid farewell to its oldest World War Two veteran and one of the nation’s most senior citizens, who passed away at the age of 109. Frank Chester, who resided at a nursing home in Malvern, Worcestershire, breathed his last on April 19, merely nine days after commemorating his birthday. Hailing from Ludlow, Shropshire, Mr. Chester had a career with HM Customs and Excise before being enlisted to serve his country during the war.
During World War Two, Mr. Chester served on a corvette involved in escorting Arctic convoys to and from Russia, a perilous mission during the conflict. Despite battling sea sickness throughout his naval duties, his acts of courage earned him the Distinguished Service Cross for his unwavering bravery. Post-war, he settled in Walsall, where he met his spouse, Elizabeth Proud. Their union lasted over 50 years.
Following his retirement from HMRC in 1987, Mr. Chester remained active in his community, notably volunteering at a local food bank in Malvern and maintaining an independent lifestyle well into his centenary. One of his secrets to a long life was a simple hack – he always put on his trousers while seated to prevent any accidental falls.
