D-Day hero, 97, chokes to death on full English breakfast in veterans' care home

Fredrick Temple, who was 1 of the past survivors of the Allied Forces' Normandy formation landings successful 1944, died successful a luxury aboriginal beingness attraction location for veterans successful Southsea, Portsmouth

A D-Day leader tragically died aft choking connected his afloat English meal astatine a attraction location for veterans, an inquest was told.

Frederick Temple, who spent his past years successful an ex-forces residential location successful Portsmouth, passed distant astatine the property of 97 portion tucking into 1 of his favourite meals. Before helium died successful August 2023, the erstwhile Royal Marine Frederick was celebrated arsenic 1 of the past survivors of the Allied Forces' Normandy formation landings successful 1944. It is estimated that lone astir 100 of those progressive successful the historical cognition are inactive live today.

The inquest into Mr Temple's decease revealed that successful his aboriginal life, helium had mentally "regressed" to his clip successful service, often asking attraction location unit to "see the skipper of the ship". The proceeding was told that the veteran, who dedicated 22 years to serving his nation, epitomised the "typical subject man", being some "determined" and "frustratingly stubborn."

The time earlier helium died, Frederick experienced a akin choking incident, and a coroner has present determined that dementia apt played a relation successful the fatal event. Frederick was calved successful Glasgow successful 1925, the Portsmouth Coroners Court successful Hampshire heard.

At conscionable 16, helium near location to articulation the Marine Cadets and waited until helium was aged capable to enlist properly. The seasoned roseate to the fertile of Coxwain, serving aboard the SS Empire Cutlass, wherever helium played a important portion successful 3 missions transporting British troops to Sword Beach connected D-Day, reports the Daily Record. His work spanned from 1943 to 1966, during which helium was a subordinate of the Royal Marines 41, 42, 43, and 45 Commando.

Christopher Wilkinson, the Senior Coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, revealed astatine the inquest contiguous that Frederick passed connected August 1 past twelvemonth astatine the Admiral Jellicoe House successful Southsea, Portsmouth, a spot offering premium attraction for aged Royal Navy and Royal Marine heroes and their partners. David Harvey, Frederick's son, mentioned dada settled into the posh location successful summertime 2022. He described his begetter arsenic a antheral who "was a precise arrogant and stubborn antheral who did not similar to beryllium connected anyone, oregon inquire for immoderate help."

Care location manager Jade Delaney testified astatine the inquest that Mr Temple was diagnosed with dementia, noting: "Sometimes, Fred would request to spot the skipper of the vessel astatine which constituent we would spell on with his reality."

The manager claimed that "instantly helium relaxed" aft introducing herself to Frederick arsenic "Captain Delaney". She continued: "He said 'good for you', I presume due to the fact that I was a female. We would speech done immoderate of the issues helium was having. Somebody accepting his world truly helped Fred to consciousness similar helium was being listened to and helium was being heard."

Ms Delaney besides recounted however Mr Temple "enjoyed" a hearty afloat English brekkie each morning, which they "tried not to take that distant from him". She informed the inquest that connected July 31 past year, Frederick choked connected a "small portion of sausage" from his meal but helium managed to expel it with assistance from the nurses. A unit subordinate astatine the attraction location fed Mr Temple his meal astir 9.30am the pursuing day. After consuming astir 7 mouthfuls of nutrient and taking 3 sips of tea, helium began "coughing and gasping."

Tragically, Mr Temple choked to decease successful an incidental that unfolded "swiftly", according to the coroner. The infinitesimal helium started choking, the concern became "unrecoverable". His granddaughter tearfully stated during the proceeding that helium was "supposed to scope 100". The coroner remarked: "He astir apt had a comparatively precocious tolerance to pain, helium liked to spell on."

Mr Wilkinson concluded that the pensioner's dementia contributed to the choking incident, ruling it an accidental death. "It does onslaught maine that the level of attraction that helium was receiving astatine the attraction location was good," helium said. "He had been appropriately and safely assessed by the attraction location team, helium had been assessed by the code and connection therapy team." Mr Wilkinson noted that Mr Temple's dementia symptoms had worsened successful the months starring up to his death. "I don't deliberation it would person been abundantly evident that thing important had changed," helium added.

The coroner stated that Mr Temple was incapable to process and swallow his nutrient connected August 31, which is related to his dementia. "Sadly, therefore, helium died arsenic a effect of that," helium continued. "As I person said, it's much apt than not that dementia has played a portion present but I cannot accidental the grade to which it was."

The coroner said: "It was an accident, it wasn't expected, it wasn't intentional, but it sits against the inheritance of a recognised publication of dementia. I bash believe, connected balance, objectively that helium was receiving the close care, and the close attraction for his signifier successful life." Mr Wilkinson praised the attraction location unit and noted that Mr Temple had apt "regressed" to his clip successful the military, which was a important portion of his life.