D-Day veteran David Teacher has died aged 100, less than a fortnight before the 80th anniversary of the landings.
Teacher, who was the former chairman of the Manchester Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, served as a mechanic with the RAF in the Second World War.
The head of the veteran care home, Broughton House, in Salford, Greater Manchester, where Teacher lived, confirmed that he had died on May 24.
Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said: “David was 100 years old and was an inspiration to us all. He lived with us for three years and was immensely popular, much-loved and respected by all of our residents and staff.”
Born in Hastings, East Sussex,Teacher was one of the first to step foot on Juno beach in the 1944 Normandy landings with the No. 2 RAF Beach Squadron at just 20-years-old.
Writing in his autobiography, No Ordinary Tuesday, Teacher recalled the horrors of the Normandy landings. “The beach was under fire from shells, mortars and machine guns, we dived for cover. The sea was covered in blood and vomit and flies began to arrive by the thousands, which created another nightmare.
David Teacher, who was a D-Day veteran, has died aged 100 (Photo: Forces Network)
“At around midday, three German aircraft attacked our beach. Three bombs were dropped. The first hit a landing craft, causing many casualties. Number two hit an anti-aircraft post, where all were killed.
“The third bomb landed not more than 20 feet away from me. It did not explode. I didn't know what to think, other than someone was certainly taking care of me that day.”
Teacher spent three months in a beach trench, repairing vehicle and aiding troops against the Axis power, then served in Belgium’s 1944 Battle of the Bulge with RAF Squadron 2742, enduring severe conditions that are believed to be the reason he lost his legs.
In 1946, he was released from military service and officially discharged in 1947.
He spent the rest of his life deducating himself to charity work, earning an MBE in 2012 for his efforts.
Teacher’s initial encounter with the armed forced occurred in the British Mandate of Palestine, where he lived with his grandparents.
While in the Middle East, he spent time at the local British Army base, translating Hebrew and Arabic for soldiers.
Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944.
Returning to Britain during the outbreak of the war, he witnessed the Blitz in London, which led to him join the armed forces aged 18 in 1942.
On August 22, 1943, Teacher married Nancy at the Holy Law Synagogue in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. They were married for 76 years before she died.
In 2017, Teacher returned to Juno Beach on the 73rd anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
He marked his 100th birthday on December 29 with a lively party of boogie-woogie swingers and a lavish meal.
As he approached the centurion mark, Teacher collaborated with British broadcaster Richard Alexander, to write his autobiography, which includes QR codes for readers to access film footage and interviews.
Teacher leaves behind his daughter, Lesley, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The UK will honour the 80th D-Day anniversary on Thursday June 6, with commemorations taking place in Normandy too.
