A D-Day veteran has been given a free mobility scooter by a military charity – to help him cope with injuries to his backside caused by a Nazi hand grenade.
Brave Joe Vango, 92, took part in the Normandy landings and was held in the Stalag XIIA POW camp in Limburg, Germany, in 1944, the same year he was enlisted.
He was hit in the behind by a German grenade and says” ”if it had been another inch or two I might have had a very high pitched voice”.
“The Nazi explosive which struck his backside left him with mobility issues in later life and virtually housebound.
“I don’t like worrying people. I have always been that way.
”I have always been too independent but I have got all these good friends around, marvellous people.
“I use walking sticks. To go out on a mobility scooter, to go out and visit friends, I’ve got so many friends, it’s unbelievable.”
Joe’s wife Joyce died last year and neighbours in the sheltered housing accommodation had pulled out the stops to ensure Joe did not feel lonely or isolated.
The couple were married for 66 years and managed pubs together, living abroad in Australia where Joe served in the Army before moving to the West Country.
He also served abroad in Palestine and Korea.
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