Respects paid to Normandy hero

The family, friends and former comrades of a Black Country Normandy veteran gathered to pay their last respects to "a hero of our time."

The funeral of D-Day glider pilot Alf "Tug" Wilson who lived in Stafford Road, Bloxwich, took place yesterday.

Over 100 people, including his former colleagues from the elite Glider Pilot Regiment and others including the Grenadiers, gathered at Streetly Crematorium.

Mr Wilson passed away at Walsall Manor Hospital last month during an appointment for treatment for an infection.

A guard of honour was formed as the coffin was led into the crematorium.

Speaking during the funeral his son, also called Alfred who had travelled over from Massachussets, America, said: "He was just a wonderful father who lived life to the full.

"He was always after excitement and was still flying into his 80's. I was always so proud of him."

Fellow comrade and pilot Denzil Cooper, aged 88, from Sutton Coldfield, served in the same glider regiment as Mr Wilson.

He added: "He was a very strong character with a fantastic spirit. He was a true friend and he will be sadly missed."

Bloxwich Councillor Bill Tweddle was also a friend.

He said: "He was a hero of our time - a very modest man and a true gentleman."

"He was one of the old school. They don't make them like him these days."

Mr Wilson flew a Horsa glider containing a jeep, a gun and its crew into Normandy.

Being a glider pilot was one of the most treacherous of tasks and, due to the success of the D-Day glider-borne attacks, Sergeant Wilson was selected for the doomed Bridge Too Far" operation at Arnhem in northern Holland in September 1944.

He flew in with a Polish anti-tank unit. He was wounded in the hand but managed to swim safely across the River Rhine.

Mr Wilson was among just 10 percent of glider pilots who escaped from Arnhem. He lived in Pleck during the time of the war.

He was an excellent cabinet maker and owned a shop in Park Street, Walsall.

He had many interests and ,as well as continuing his love of flying, he bred budgerigars at his home.

Mr Wilson was married to wife Elsie, had four sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.