One of the last surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign farewelled in Adelaide

South Australia has farewelled one of its last veterans of the Normandy landings that marked the beginning of the end of WWII.

Barry Dawson and Emma Sampson at the Port Noarlunga Christies Beach RSL. They are the children of Derek Dawson, an English Normandy WWII veteran who settled in Adelaide in 1967. Port Noarlunga, Wednesday, January 4, 2023. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette)

Derek Dawson was an Englishman from Blackpool, who settled in South Australia, but despite his longevity and accomplishments in both places, his name will be etched in time alongside that of Normandy on the coast of France.

At 97, the southern suburbs RSL stalwart was one of the last South Australian veterans of the famed 1944 Normandy landings which began the downfall of the Nazi scourge in Europe 11 months later.

Derek died on December 20, and was honoured by family and the RSL at a funeral in Morphett Vale yesterday.

At the service, Daughter Emma Sampson paid tribute to her father’s life in the UK and SA, where with her mum Nessie and brother Barry the family moved in 1967.

Derek Dawson, one of the last remaining Normandy WWII veterans. Picture: Port Noarlunga RSL

Derek Dawson, one of the last remaining Normandy WWII veterans. Picture: Supplied By Family

“Dad you have had a long ride, been a gentleman to the end, so rest in peace, give Mum a hug for us and enjoy your next journey. Love you forever,’’ she said.

The funeral service included The Last Post, Ode of Remembrance, and one minute’s silence, along with references to Derek’s WWII service.

This began when he signed up as a Driver for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in July 1943, aged just 18, and ended helping rebuild a shattered Germany until 1947, well after the end of the war in 1945.

Normandy is remembered as the turning point of the war. The successful liberation of Europe turned on creating and holding five beachheads won with the tenacity and sacrifice of those like Derek and his comrades.

World War II veteran Derek Dawson.

In the first wave, at his Gold Beach landing point alone, 350 of Derek’s 24,000 fellow troops who made it to shore on D-Day, or attacked German defences from behind enemy lines, did not make it past the heavily fortified defences.

But by the end of the first day of the battle, 156,000 Allied troops had survived the onslaught, and Europe would soon be liberated.

The Royal Engineers were part of the second wave on the beaches soon after, in charge of making sure machinery and weapons functioned properly.

Derek met his wife Nessie, also in the army, just before returning to civilian life. In 1967, as economic conditions worsened in the UK, the Dawson family, including Emma’s brother Barry, were bound for Newcastle where Derek was to work as fitter with BHP.

“Dad and Mum made the decision to make a better life for their family, paid their ten pounds, but a week before they were due to leave England Dad got a letter saying he would now be working in Whyalla South Australia,’’ she said.

“In February 1967 we left the UK on the Fairstar Ship to make the 6-week journey to Australia, this would be the last time dad and mum ever saw England.

“While in Whyalla until 1992 dad worked at BHP in the Coke Ovens as a Fitter and our mum owned her own women’s clothes shop.”

Normandy veteran Derek Dawson photographed after the 2017 Dawn Service outside the Port Noarlunga/Christies Beach RSL. Picture: Dawson family

Speaking at a gathering of friends and family at the Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach RSL club, President Jason Tank, said it was the role of the organisation to honour people like Derek.

“The RSL is all about acknowledging the service and the lives and the sacrifices these people made,” he said.

“A lot of these people here today were best mates with Derek and it is a honour to attend his funeral and pay tribute.”

In 2016 at the age of 91 Derek was part of a small group of 12 veterans who were awarded the French order of Merit – Frances highest decoration “The Legion of Honour” at an Adelaide Town Hall ceremony.

Barry Dawson said his father continued to honour fallen comrades each year after the war.

“Dad would always attend Remembrance Day Service and the Dawn Service and ANZAC march in the city were on his calendar every year, rain, hail or shine,’’ he said.

“On Sundays Dad was on parade at the RSL. To everyone who is not sure, “On Parade” means being with his mates at the club.”