TRIBUTES have been paid to a war veteran who was one of the first Allied troops to land on the French soil in the D-Day landings.

George Illsley, from Brightlingsea, has died aged 98.

The wartime hero was born in January 1924 to parents George and Constance Illsley.

He was one of four children, with a sister and two brothers. His brother John sadly died at just three years old.

George was raised in Notting Hill, London, attending school until he was 14, when he left to become an engineering apprentice working for Napiers.

In 1941, 17-year-old George enlisted into the Army, lying about his age. He was deployed to Egypt, where he played a role in the North Africa campaign, seeing action in El Alamein.

George returned to Britain in 1943, after a short while a friend convinced him to enrol into the recently-formed parachute regiment. After completing his training he was stationed in Dorset, set to play a role in D-Day.

On June 5, 1944, he departed for France, landing near Ranville, Normandy, at about 1am – making him one of the first Allied troops to land on the French soil.

Ranville eventually became the first town to be liberated. George and the 13th battalion were tasked with supporting and reinforcing the British troops at the famed Pegasus Bridge.

Gazette: George Illsley received the Légion d'honneur for his part in the D-Day landings. Picture: Ant NilesGeorge Illsley received the Légion d'honneur for his part in the D-Day landings. Picture: Ant Niles

Just beside the bridge sits Café Gondree, a small French café where George’s picture still hangs to this day.

After spending a month in Normandy, George returned home for a short period of time, to prepare for Operation Market Garden.

Leaving to lend their hand at the war effort once again, George and his peers landed in Holland in September 1944, as part of the mission to take Arnhem bridge.

The mission was a failure, with the British forces being overwhelmed and unable to take the bridge. Out of the 10,000 men deployed, George was one of the 2,000 that returned.

After injuring his shoulder in action, George was positioned with the Royal Irish Fusiliers and was eventually demobilised in 1946, aged 22.

George promptly returned to his pre-war career of engineer work for Skylux. George enjoyed a varied career working for Eversheds & Vignoles, Wilkinson Sword, AEC Trucks and Buses and London Transport.

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George enjoyed his post-war hobbies of playing casual football and dancing.

He was a talented dancer, competing in events across London, notably the Hammersmith Palais and Lyceum Ballroom.

After the war, George met his wife Joyce Moore. The couple married in March 1948.

They had five children, Patricia, John, Ken, David and Lynne. Eventually having ten grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

George and Joyce loved going on holiday to Dorset, where they regularly camped, accompanied by their expansive family of uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Upon his retirement, George and Joyce moved to Brightlingsea in 1990, where he joined the Brightlingsea British Legion and was greatly welcomed.

Gazette: George Illsley and fellow legion member George Stevens. Picture: Ant NilesGeorge Illsley and fellow legion member George Stevens. Picture: Ant Niles

Eventually he became known as G.I. George, acting as the legion’s president for some time, organising trips to graves and battlefields across Europe.

At the 50th D-Day anniversary, in 1994, the French locals were in awe of him, some even asking for autographs.

George’s wife Joyce died in January 1998, two months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. After living alone, he then moved in with his sister-in-law Vera, who also lived in Brightlingsea.

His son David said: “Despite his incredible achievements, he remained humble, and always appreciated the little things in life. He approached all with friendliness and compassion, speaking wrong of no one.

“The people in George’s life meant the world to him. His wide smile around his family is a cheerful sight that I will remember forever, and as a family we were incredibly lucky to call him Dad, Grandad, and Great-Grandad.

“He was cherished immensely by all, and we will deeply miss the positive and loving impact he had on our lives.”

In January 2020, George was awarded the Legion d’Honour, the highest medal in the French Republic for his involvement in the D-Day Landings.

Throughout the pandemic George continued to live on his own, humorously stating “at least the pubs were open during the war”. George continued to live independently in the bungalow until he passed away on March 15, 2022, aged 98.