Freedom of the borough for 110 year old hero

30 May 2025 4

Former Mayor, Councillor Kate Fennelly on a recent visit to see Donald at his Cotmanhay care home, pictured with comedian Al Murray and home and Armed Forces representatives

War hero Donald Rose – who is the UK’s oldest man at the age of 110 – has been saluted by officials from Erewash Borough Council as he was officially awarded the freedom of the borough on Friday 30th May 2025.

The rare honour was bestowed as an official delegation visited the Canal Vue Care Home on Awsworth Road in Ilkeston for an afternoon ceremony.

In attendance was the newly elected Mayor of Erewash Cllr Harry Atkinson – who at the age of 25 is the youngest ever to wear the chain of office.

He this month took over from Cllr Kate Fennelly, who was also at the ceremony. Former mayor Kate previously served with the RAF and is an official Armed Forces champion for the council.

Accompanying her was borough council leader, Councillor James Dawson and the authority’s chief executive Jeremy Jaroszek.

Representatives of the Ilkeston branch of the Royal British Legion also paid tribute to ex-Desert Rat Donald – a veteran of the D-Day landings who survived a bullet to the leg.

Written by: Erewash Sound