Lancaster D-Day war hero, 101, humbled to be awarded city's highest civic honour

A 101-year-old D-Day war veteran from Lancaster has received the Honorary Freedom of the City of Lancaster in a ceremony.

Mr Brock, who stormed Gold Beach in Normandy in 1944 as part of the D-Day Landings, was awarded the highest civic distinctions recognising his extraordinary service during the Second World War and his valued contribution to the veteran community.

He covered 2,000 miles pushing back the enemy, was locked in several bouts of fighting from Arnhem to the Battle of Bulge, witnessed unimaginable scenes of horror and death at Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp and narrowly missed being killed by a German bomb, in which hundreds died.

Mr Brock served as a sergeant after enlisting when he was 18-years-old and is believed to be the last remaining member of the East Lancashire Regiment. Only 19 of the 130 of his regiment survived and returned home.

“I was astonished when I was asked to be a freeman of the city - I couldn’t believe what they were saying to me," said Mr Brock during the event held at Morecambe Town Hall on Thursday.

Richard Brock signing the book of Honorary Freemans of Lancaster

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would become a freeman of our city of our wonderful city of Lancaster. It really is an honour and privilege to be given this accolade.

He says he “did what he had to do” during World War Two and said that he will “keep the flag flying” and keep the history alive.

Mr Brock’s war journey started with initial training in Southport, Lancashire, and then Mere, Wiltshire, when the men were told to keep fit because something was “coming up” – which turned out to be fighting on the frontline and landing at the perilous D-Day Beaches.

“We did not know what we were going into, but we soon knew from the noise – it was horrendous," he said.

"We landed and scrambled down into landing crafts and came ashore at Courseulles on Gold Beach, encountering German artillery as we did. We were told to dig trenches for shelter and some men sent off on a patrol – they did not come back. We found them dead days later.

“There was devastation everywhere.”

The Bren Gun driver and his regiment advanced towards Caen, liberated Bois-Halbout and onto Falaise.

“We took Caen after a lot of struggle and our next objective was to surround the German army in Falaise and stop them escaping towards Paris.  We encircled them with the French, Canadians and the USA and advanced from there up to across the River Siene and carried on up to Antwerp.

“Once there, we were given a 48-hour break. So, me and some lads were going to see Buffalo Bill which was showing at the local cinema. We had a drink first at a café and I was the last one out as we were leaving.

“Next thing, I was blown to smithereens the by the blast of a V2 rocket which had dropped on the cinema. The ceiling came down on me and I was knocked out and the lads dug me out of the debris. I was OK and had a few scrapes and was lucky. It killed about 500 lads and locals. And that was our 48-hour break.”

The regiment carried on up to Holland and liberated Hertogenbosch and were part of Operation Market garden - the advance up to Nijmegen bridge – of the Bridge Too Far film.

“Liberating places was just another day. We just kept advancing and advancing.” 

Sergeant Brock in his younger days

They were just a few miles away from Bergen-Belsen concentration camp when they heard it had been liberated.

“I was ordered to drive one of our officers there. I can still see it now – driving slowly and looking down at onto the railway siding, all the cattle wagons with the tarpaulin over them.

“The smell was horrendous. Looking around there was 100s of dead and dying around me. The smell of the death was atrocious. Those who could scramble along thought they were going to be whipped when you went near them. It was sad.”

Back on the battle lines, they heard rumours of unconditional surrender and the German high command came through their lines with white flags flying and so Richard went onto Hamburg “not having to fire a shot, which was nice for a change”.

Richard celebrated his 21^st birthday patrolling the streets of Hamburg before finally coming back home to Lancaster and says he has had a “wonderful life”. He married the love of his life Patricia, to whom he was married to for 75 years and together they had three sons.

Amanda Parker, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, said: “Over the last three years I have met Sgt Brock many times and, as well as being delighted by his company, have been impressed with his recollections and commitment to sharing experience of the past with young and old. Richard Brock is a proud Lancastrian war hero, and this honour is richly deserved”.

“Richard is a local war hero and an extraordinary individual from a generation whose courage and sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy today," said Councillor Margaret Pattison, mayor of Lancaster, pictured with Mr Brock.

"Mr Brock’s service stands as a powerful reminder of the cost of peace.

“It is a profound privilege, on behalf of the people of Lancaster and Morecambe, to present this highest civic honour to a man whose bravery, resilience and lifelong service will never be forgotten and recognise the efforts and sacrifices he made for the sake of his country.”

Councillor Roger Dennison, Lancaster City Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Richard Brock’s service represents the values of duty, sacrifice and resilience that define the Armed Forces community.

“Granting him the Freedom of the City is a fitting and meaningful recognition of an individual who gave so much in service of his country. It is important that we continue to honour veterans like Richard not only with our gratitude, but with lasting respect and recognition for the freedoms their service has secured.”

Honorary Freedom is the highest award that the council can bestow.

It is a power that is very rarely used and is normally only awarded to local people who have in the opinion of Lancaster City Council, rendered eminent services to the city or district.

The award of Honorary Freedom does not convey with it any legal rights or responsibilities, other than a ceremonial role at civic functions. The award dates back to the middle ages when Freemen had commercial privileges and a route into a position of power in a town or city.

LISTEN to our interview with Sgt Richard Brock in 2024

INTERVIEW: D-Day veteran from Lancaster, 99, tells his incredible World War 2 story - Beyond Radio