TRIBUTES have been paid to a war hero who landed on the D-Day beaches of Normandy when he was a teenager.

Ernie Dark was 19 when he landed in Normandy with the 7th Armoured Division on June 6, 1944.

But despite his age and inexperience, Mr Dark, who died at Southend Hospital last week aged 87, survived the war.

Mr Dark, of York Road, Southend, a widower, who is survived by two daughters, died after a long battle against bowel cancer.

After the war, he joined Essex Police and specialised as a driver. He also joined the South Essex branch of the Normandy Veterans Associ-ation, and had previously served as its president.

Recalling his wartime memories in 2009, Mr Dark told the Echo: “I’d only been in the Army for six months when I was given the order to land on Gold Beach.

“There were so many casualties I couldn’t say how many. We were lucky to come back and we remember all those who sacrificed their lives to make this country what it is.”

Mr Dark’s friend, Don Sheppard, 92, of Methersgate, Basildon, who is chairman of the veterans association, said: “Ernie was a lovely guy. Despite having cancer he never complained about his ailments.

“He was a private person and had so much self-respect.

“There are war veterans who want to sit at home in their armchairs and then there are people like Ernie, who want to get stuck in. I’ll miss him, we all will.”

Hans Wustefeld, Basildon’s new town centre partnership manager and patron of the veterans association, got to know Ernie well over the years.

He said: “Ernie was a wonderful friend, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

“I regarded him as my Dutch uncle as he had a particular fondness for my home country, Holland, and in particular, Gouda, which is close to the village where I was born.

“He made so many friends there and was regarded as a very special man.”

Eastgate Shopping Centre manager Ian Clark added: “Ernie was a joy to be with. He had countless stories to recall and was a shining example of humility, honesty, generosity and decency within our midst.”

Mr Dark’s funeral will be held at 10am next Thursday, at Southend Crematorium.