War hero’s song released after his death aged 110

A song written by Erewash war hero Donald Rose – Britain’s oldest man when he died in July aged 110 – has hit the internet after being turned into a heart-rending anthem to mark Armistice Day.

The release of the track called As My Guns Fall Silent is thanks to the wizardry of a talented local musician who answered a plea to let the world hear the poignant lyrics.

D-Day veteran Donald wrote the melody after returning from World War Two. He used to sing it to Naomi Allsop – who looked after him at the Canal Vue care home in Ilkeston.

Carer Naomi told how following Donald’s death she was determined the song would live on as a tribute to him and all those who sacrificed so much in wartime.

She said: “Thanks to a talented musician named Matt Henshaw, that wish is about to come true. He worked his magic and created something truly incredible from Donald’s song. Music meant everything to Donald, and I promised him that his song would touch hearts everywhere.”

The track was made ready for release on streaming platforms on Tuesday 11th November 2025 – the day the nation held its annual two-minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson led the borough’s salute as he laid a wreath at Ilkeston’s Market Place Cenotaph (pictured below) – before a delegation visited around a dozen ex-servicemen and women who are residents at Bramble Lodge in West Hallam.

It followed a huge Ilkeston turnout by up to 5,000 townsfolk on Remembrance Sunday – with thousands more attending a ceremony at Long Eaton’s War Memorial.

Proceeds from downloads of Donald’s song will go to the Royal British Legion and veterans’ charity The Not Forgotten.

Cllr Dawson said: “Donald survived a bullet to the leg during the Normandy landings and was a much-loved character – whose immense courage saw him awarded the freedom of the borough. 

“The song he wrote is a plea for the world to live in peace and truly deserves to be a Christmas hit! I would like to thank local guitarist Matt for the fantastic job he has done with it.”

Matt Henshaw (pictured right) is from Ilkeston – and has been hailed a “genius” by The Guardian’s Luke Holland.  Previous reviews of his work by two broadcasters have described his music as “just perfect” and a “great pop sound”.

Matt told how Donald was still alive when he first became interested in the veteran’s melody after seeing an online post by Naomi. He said: “It was his dream for it to be made into a song so I thought I’d get in touch and try and do something.

"I worked on this for the last eight to ten months. I know he heard the early samples of it. He sadly died while I was away so I couldn’t pay my respects, unfortunately. But, hopefully, releasing this will be a fitting way to mark his life and I hope people can get behind it."

Click here for a taster of Donald’s song, and listen out for the track being played on-air on Erewash Sound, particularly as part of The Great Erewash Music Show every Thursday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm with Ian Perry.