Bill Gladden, a British army veteran who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle, passed away at the age of 100. Gladden, one of the few remaining veterans of the D-Day landings, had hoped to return to France for the 80th anniversary of the invasion to honor his fallen comrades. Despite battling cancer, he was determined to make the journey, but unfortunately, he did not live to see the event. With fewer veterans able to participate in the annual commemorations, this year’s ceremony may be one of the last major events marking the historic assault that took place on June 6, 1944.
Born in 1924 in Woolwich, southeast London, Gladden joined the army at the age of 18 and was assigned to the 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment as a motorcycle dispatch rider. On D-Day, he landed behind enemy lines in a glider carrying motorcycles and a tank. His unit was responsible for securing bridges over the River Orne and Caen Canal to support the Allied forces moving inland. Despite sustaining multiple injuries during the operation, including a shattered ankle from machine gun fire, Gladden survived and went on to serve in the army for several more years after the war.
Following his injuries, Gladden spent three years in the hospital undergoing surgeries to repair his ankle. After the war, he married Marie Warne, an army driver, and had a daughter named Linda. Gladden spent 40 years working for Siemens and Pearl Insurance before retiring. Throughout his life, he remained connected to his wartime experience through various activities, including trips to battlefields in Normandy and the Netherlands organized by the Taxi Charity for Military veterans. Known for his gentle voice and love for singing wartime songs, Gladden was highly respected by his peers and loved ones.
Gladden meticulously chronicled his wartime experiences in a scrapbook, which included memorabilia such as a piece of parachute silk left behind by a paratrooper in the orchard where he was injured. The scrapbook also contained drawings of glider landings and other artifacts from his time in the army. Despite his reluctance to dwell on the past, Gladden’s desire to honor his fallen comrades never wavered. He often expressed a wish to return to Normandy to pay his respects to the soldiers who did not make it back from the battlefield, particularly the two individuals he carried into a barn during the operation. His family and friends remember him as a humble and courageous man who was dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of his fellow soldiers.
As one of the last remaining veterans of the D-Day landings, Gladden’s passing marks the end of an era in British military history. His determination to honor the memory of his fallen comrades serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. Despite facing numerous challenges and injuries during the war, Gladden’s spirit and resilience never faltered. His legacy lives on through his family, friends, and the memories he shared with his fellow veterans. As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Gladden’s story serves as a testament to the bravery and selflessness of those who served their country during one of the most significant military operations in history.
