Small Heath veteran Frank Monkhouse tells of D-Day kinship

Jun 8 2009 by Gary Denning, Birmingham Mail

THE camaraderie that swept through Normandy throughout the weekend rekindled an unbreakable spirit which former Navy gunner Frank Monkhouse said keeps veterans feeling young at heart.

The 84-year-old from Small Heath was on HMS Erebus off Utah Beach as the vessel was hit three times.

“We feel a real kinship not just with each other but with every man who served on D-Day and during both the wars,” he said.

“Seeing so many people here in good health makes me confident there will be a good turnout in five years. We’ve got to come back because there’s still a few quid in the drinks kitty.”