Percy Chafer’s family was devastated to learn of his death on Wednesday, October 16, a veteran of the Second World War. His age was 104 years. Percy agreed to be interviewed about his time on the beaches and his broader role during World War II as part of our D-Day80 commemorations. Gunner Percy Chafer was born in London on November 19, 1919, and was 20 years old at the start of World War II.
After completing training with the Royal Artillery in England and Scotland, he was deployed to Africa to combat German forces in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya as a driver of a self-propelled artillery truck with the 7th Armoured Brigade, also known as the Desert Rats. He was a member of XXX Corps (30 Corps) in 1942 and took part in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The mission assigned to XXX Corps was to secure the beach before advancing inland to defend Bayeux and open Tilly-sur-Seulles.
Percy made his way across France and into the Netherlands, where he participated in Operation Market Garden in September 1944. After a while, he reached Germany, where he helped bring the Second World War to a close in May 1945. For his contribution, Percy was awarded France’s highest honour, the Légion d’honneur, in 2017.
We all at the Battle of Britain Bunker will miss Percy very much. It was always a pleasure to talk to him. His family is in our prayers during this difficult time.
