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Francis “Jim” Grant, one of the last remaining heroes of the D-Day invasion during World War II, has died. He was 101.
Grant, hailing from Stowmarket in Suffolk, England, was in Normandy on June 6, 1944, firing one of two anti-aircraft weapons from his Landing Craft Flak, bravely applying cover fire for hundreds of troops as they embarked onto Sword Beach in Normandy.
Grant’s death was announced by the Stowmarket Royal Naval Association Branch on its social media sites last Friday, along with British media. Grant, who had served as president of the branch, died of a short illness.
“It is with sadness that we have been informed that shipmate Jim Grant, our branch president, crossed the bar yesterday after a short illness at the age of 101,” a Facebook post from Grant’s Royal Naval branch said on Friday.
Vital Role in WWII
Barely 18 years old, Grant signed up for the British Royal Marines in 1943 and left the service in 1946. His assignments included beach patrols and helping transport allied soldiers throughout Sword, Gold and Juno beaches during the famous D-Day operation.
From Oct. 2-Nov. 8, 1944, Grant fought in the Battle of the Scheldt in the Netherlands and northern Belgium, a series of operations to open the Scheldt River between Antwerp, Belgium and the North Sea, giving a major port in Antwerp access to supplies for troops fighting in northwest Europe.
Grant, who turned 101 on Dec. 20, was making public appearances nearly up until his death last week. In November, he was in central London, honoring Remembrance Sunday during a special service.
Last June, Grant attended the annual D-Day commemorative ceremony in Normandy, France.
“Jim served with the Royal Marines during the Second World War, taking part in both the D-Day landings in 1944 and then the vital Battle of the Scheldt, which opened the port of Antwerp,” his branch organization posted on Facebook.
“A holder of France’s highest national order of merit, the Legion d’honneur, we were honored to have Jim as a shipmate. Rest easy shipmate, your watch is complete.”
Special Way to Celebrate 100
Grant still attended services weekly at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket. When he turned 100 in 2024, the local church surprised Grant with a birthday celebration fitting for a World War II veteran with friends, family, members of the Royal Navy and a representative of King Charles in attendance.
At the celebration, Commodore Rob Bellfield, a naval regional commander for London and Eastern England, gave Grant a congratulatory letter, along with a birthday card signed by the commandant general of the Royal Marines. Grant also received new copies of his miliary records.
“It was an honor to meet Jim on this auspicious occasion and thank him for his outstanding service with the Royal Marines on D-Day and beyond,” Bellfield said.
Then the 100-year-old received another surprise: two huge sacks of birthday cards from Royal Mail filled with best wishes from across the globe.
“I was overwhelmed by all the attention but enjoyed it all the same,” Grant said in 2024. “I was honored that representatives from the Royal Navy and others were there with cards, gifts and well wishes. I was hoping that somebody would remember my birthday!”
Now, Grant is being remembered for his steadfast bravery during one of the most important missions in military history.
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14 Comments
Grant’s story, including his time in the Netherlands and northern Belgium during the Battle of the Scheldt, provides valuable insight into the lesser-known aspects of World War II and the significance of the Scheldt River in the war’s outcome.
The fact that Grant continued to make public appearances nearly until his death, including honoring Remembrance Sunday in central London, demonstrates his commitment to sharing his experiences and keeping the memory of the war alive.
It’s remarkable that Grant attended services weekly at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket until his death, showing his strong connection to his community and faith.
The way Grant’s local church and community came together to celebrate his 100th birthday, including a visit from a representative of King Charles, shows the high esteem in which he was held, and it’s heartwarming to see him receiving such recognition.
Grant’s service as president of the Stowmarket Royal Naval Association Branch and his active role in veterans’ events underscore his dedication to his fellow veterans and the community.
His passing at 101 is a reminder of the dwindling number of World War II veterans and the importance of preserving their stories and legacies.
It’s impressive that Grant received new copies of his military records on his 100th birthday, and the congratulatory letter from Commodore Rob Bellfield adds to the significance of the occasion.
Francis ‘Jim’ Grant’s bravery on D-Day, providing cover fire for hundreds of troops on Sword Beach, is a testament to his selfless service, and it’s remarkable that he lived to be 101 and remained active in veterans’ events until the end.
His attendance at the annual D-Day commemorative ceremony in Normandy, France, last June shows his dedication to remembering the sacrifices made during World War II.
The fact that Grant was barely 18 years old when he signed up for the British Royal Marines in 1943 highlights the significant role young people played in the war effort, and his story serves as a reminder of their contributions.
The details of Grant’s time on the Landing Craft Flak, firing anti-aircraft weapons to provide cover for troops, paint a vivid picture of the dangers and challenges faced by those involved in the D-Day operations.
The huge sacks of birthday cards Grant received from schoolchildren are a touching gesture, showing that his service and legacy continue to inspire and educate younger generations about the importance of World War II and its heroes.
Grant’s involvement in both the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Scheldt demonstrates the extensive and varied nature of his military service, and it’s interesting to note that he was awarded France’s highest national order of merit, the Legion d’honneur.
The award is well-deserved, considering his efforts to open the port of Antwerp, which was crucial for supplying troops in northwest Europe.