D-Day veteran awarded Freedom of Dudley Borough

A 100-year-old D-Day veteran has been officially presented with the freedom of Dudley borough.

Joe Bullock, who turns 101 in December, served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and took part in the D-Day landings.

Mr Bullock received a commemorative scroll from the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pete Lee, at a special ceremony held at Himley Hall last night (Thu) in front of family and friends.

He was also joined by the leader of Dudley Council, Councillor Patrick Harley, Dudley’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Damian Corfield, the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Nick Venning, High Sherrif of the West Midlands, Mark Smith and the Mayor's cadet Flt Lt George Sturman-Sprigg.

He served in the Royal Navy from 1942 to 1946, crossing the Channel in the Normandy landings during World War II and later being posted to Singapore. He was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in 2015 by the French government and is president of the Stourbridge branch of the Royal Naval Association.

Mr Bullock, who now lives in Stourbridge, captured the imaginations of civic dignitaries when he was invited to the Armed Forces Day celebrations at Himley Hall in June. He was recognised for his service at the event and received a commemorative civic paperweight from the Mayor.

Joe Bullock, Freeman of Dudley borough said: “I never expected any of this. The family kept it very quiet but they clearly knew something about it.

“I’m really touched. Thank you so much for everything.”

Councillor Pete Lee, Mayor of Dudley, added: “It was a privilege to grant Mr Bullock the freedom of our borough. It was something I had pushed for since having the honour of meeting him at Armed Forces Day earlier in the year.

“We have a long and special relationship with the armed forces and we go above and beyond to celebrate their work.

“Mr Bullock is one of our oldest armed forces veterans, serving in one of the biggest conflicts in history. His record and commitment to this community and country speaks for itself, and I am pleased we have been able to formally recognise that.”