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D-Day: Disappeared Hove veteran returns from Normandy trip D-Day: Disappeared Hove veteran returns from Normandy trip
(35 minutes later)
A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend the D-Day commemorations in France has returned to the UK.A World War Two veteran who disappeared from his nursing home to attend the D-Day commemorations in France has returned to the UK.
Bernard Jordan, 89, left The Pines care home in Hove unannounced at 10:30 BST on Thursday and was reported missing to Sussex Police that evening.Bernard Jordan, 89, left The Pines care home in Hove unannounced at 10:30 BST on Thursday and was reported missing to Sussex Police that evening.
Staff later discovered he had joined other veterans in France.Staff later discovered he had joined other veterans in France.
The former Royal Navy officer said he hoped his trip would not land him in trouble.The former Royal Navy officer said he hoped his trip would not land him in trouble.
'Hearty English breakfast''Hearty English breakfast'
Peter Curtis, from The Pines, who is with Mr Jordan, said he was on "fine form" and glad to be back in the UK.Peter Curtis, from The Pines, who is with Mr Jordan, said he was on "fine form" and glad to be back in the UK.
"He came off and tucked into a hearty English breakfast as soon as he got off the ferry," he said."He came off and tucked into a hearty English breakfast as soon as he got off the ferry," he said.
"Then he came and met us and a couple of other of my team from the care home - who he was absolutely delighted to see."Then he came and met us and a couple of other of my team from the care home - who he was absolutely delighted to see.
"He really was on sparkling form"."He really was on sparkling form".
According to staff at the care home - where Mr Jordan lives with his wife Irene - the veteran was unsure whether to attend the commemorations in France or ones organised in the UK.According to staff at the care home - where Mr Jordan lives with his wife Irene - the veteran was unsure whether to attend the commemorations in France or ones organised in the UK.
However, after the home bought a new blazer for him to pin his medals to, he decided to go to Normandy alone, without telling anybody of his plans.However, after the home bought a new blazer for him to pin his medals to, he decided to go to Normandy alone, without telling anybody of his plans.
Before embarking on his journey home, Mr Jordan, who used to be mayor of Hove, told ITV News: "I have been here last year and I have been here obviously this time... but if I am still about I shall try next year's as well."Before embarking on his journey home, Mr Jordan, who used to be mayor of Hove, told ITV News: "I have been here last year and I have been here obviously this time... but if I am still about I shall try next year's as well."
Asked if he would be in trouble when he returned home, he added: "I might be, but I hope not."Asked if he would be in trouble when he returned home, he added: "I might be, but I hope not."
Ship's liaison officer Sonia Pittam, who met Mr Jordan on his way to France, said: "I knew he was a game old boy.Ship's liaison officer Sonia Pittam, who met Mr Jordan on his way to France, said: "I knew he was a game old boy.
"He certainly has his wits about him, he didn't say much about the landings, just how pleased he was to be on board and couldn't believe how everyone was looking after them [veterans] and all the people waving on the route to the harbour entrance."He certainly has his wits about him, he didn't say much about the landings, just how pleased he was to be on board and couldn't believe how everyone was looking after them [veterans] and all the people waving on the route to the harbour entrance.
"He kept saying, 'All this for us'.""He kept saying, 'All this for us'."
Mr Curtis, chief executive of Gracewell Care Homes, said he had spoken to Mr Jordan's guide and added: "He found it all very emotional - much more than he was expecting, which is why he wants to come home early."Mr Curtis, chief executive of Gracewell Care Homes, said he had spoken to Mr Jordan's guide and added: "He found it all very emotional - much more than he was expecting, which is why he wants to come home early."
He said he thought Mr Jordan wanted to be back at the care home with his wife.He said he thought Mr Jordan wanted to be back at the care home with his wife.
The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, praised Mr Jordan, saying in a tweet: "Bernard Jordan's incredible story shows the spirit of D-Day veterans is alive and well."
Hundreds of veterans marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, with events on the beaches of Normandy.Hundreds of veterans marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, with events on the beaches of Normandy.
The landings were the first stage of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.The landings were the first stage of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.