Nail bomb hero's death

A former member of the Sherwood Forest regiment from Dudley who survived being blown up by a nail bomb during service in Palestine has died at the age of 80.

David Churchman, formerly of Greenfield Road, Kingswinford, died after suffering a stroke this month.

Mr Churchman, who lived at Alexander Nursing Home in Pensnett, had been battling Parkinson's Disease for nearly 10 years.

Mr Churchman's funeral takes place tomorrow at Gornal Wood Crematorium and his family have launched a plea for more information on his time in the military.Son-in-law Brian Ray, of Middlepark Road, Russells Hall Estate, Dudley, said the family had only found out in the last few weeks about Mr Churchman's close shave in Palestine during the late 1940s.

Mr Ray said: "He was actually blown up. We have only found that out in the last few months because although he was very proud of his military service he was a quiet man and didn't really speak about it.

"We think it was a nail bomb or something. For a time he was lost and presumed dead and his wife Doreen received a telegram to that effect, but he turned up eventually. He received the Palestine Medal, which we still have, but we don't really know a lot else. He was a wonderful man."

Mr Churchman was born and raised in Pensnett and went to Audnam School, where he met future wife Doreen. The couple married and had two daughters, Linda and Christine. Doreen died nine years ago.

Anyone with any information can call Mr Ray or his wife Linda on 01384 232515.

By Wayne Beese