Tributes have been pouring in for “kind and modest” World War 2 hero David Whiteman who died on Thursday aged 98.

David, of Wayletts, Laindon, had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for some months and passed away peacefully at Basildon Hospital.

He was a much loved and respected veteran, having served at both Dunkirk and at Arnhem with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). He went on to be decorated with the War and Victory medals as well as the Italy Star.

While in Arnhem David met and worked alongside Kate XXX, dubbed the Angel of Arnhem, who features in the blockbuster war film, A Bridge Too Far.

Historian Raymond P. Newlyn, author of several WWII books and an active member of the Veterans of Normandy, lead the tributes to David yesterday.

“It's with sad news to say my good friend Medic David Whiteman passed away this morning in hospital,” he said.

“David was evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk 1940 and would return to Europe during Operation Market Garden.

“He would serve in the Horst house during the battle of Arnhem with the Angel of Arnhem by his side. David was a wonderful gentleman and he was so proud of his military service. A true hero from a generation that will not be forgotten.

Echo:

Mike Horton of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, who got to know David and many veterans through veteran fundraising and poppy campaigns over the years said: “David Whiteman was a wonderful person who it was a privilege for many of us at Eastgate to know as a very close friend.

“Having served his country with honour during the second world war, he contributed hugely thereafter towards ensuring that the sacrifices of those who also served their nation at that time would be remembered by succeeding generations.

“Eastgate will miss a quiet, kind, unassuming gentleman with a marvellous sense of humour, and our thoughts are with David’s family at this time”. In 2012 David and his good friend Don Sheppard, from Basildon a hero of the D Day landings, were on a memorial trip to Holland when they happened to be in a museum perusing paintings by British artist Richard Shepherd depicting the Arnhem campaign.#

The museum curator was so proud to hear the pair had fought in the 1944 battle, she handed them the works of art Arnhem Bridge 5pm and Oosterbeek Crossroads. Both men donated the artworks to Basildon Eastgate Art Gallery so that they could be accessible to everyone. Although he had been settled in Laindon for many years, David was actually born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, on August 7, 1919.

He was married for 69 years to his beloved wife Eileen, who passed away in 2011. The couple had one daughter. In 2016 David shared his amazing story with the Echo – including how he once accidentally shot his army friend in the knee when the revolver went off accidentally! When you see soldiers with their guts hanging out, others with legs blown off, others with shrapnel wounded and many with no visible outward wounds - all dead - you realise what war is all about,”