After being chosen to join the Navy aged 17, Albert Keir was pleased – he said they were short on sailors, so “it just happened like that”, but he was happy about it, as he’s always liked the Navy.
The following year, Keir prepared to play his part in D-Day. He was responsible for ferrying US troops across the Channel to Utah beach, as well as for searching the water for bombs, which they would then destroy using depth charges.
He said: “You were in action straight away, because the sea...was covered with Germans.”
He recalled feeling “a bit scared” during the build-up to D-Day, but also the immense sense of relief when the operation was a success – thus bringing about the beginning of the end for World War Two.
Albert Keir was responsible for ferrying US troops across the Channel to Utah beach
The young sailor knew this meant freedom, and that he would finally be able to return home. Looking back, he said: “You never know when you go to Sea if you’re ever going to get back again.”
He added: "I felt marvellous. And safe when I got back into England... I’ve always been quite happy ever since I got back."
Reflecting on that day 80 years ago, Keir is proud of what he and his comrades achieved but he doesn’t think of himself as a hero.
The veteran told GB News says: "There were so many of us; so many in the Navy. And they’re doing the same job as you. So, how could you be a hero over all these others? You can’t.
"You were helping others to do what you had to do, and that was it."