Manx war veteran Hector Duff passes away at 101

Royal British Legion pays tribute to 'a true legend'

Manx war veteran Hector Duff has passed away at the age of 101.

He was best known for being the Island's only remaining Normandy veteran, with a number of prestigious decorations to his name.

He not only survived the landings, but also campaigns in Italy and North Africa.

Considered the last of a generation who in his own words, saw things that 'no pen in the world could write.'

It's been confirmed that he passed away, peacefully, this afternoon (30 November).

John Moss takes a look back at his life:

IOM Constabulary is one of many paying tribute online:

After discussions with his family, the Isle of Man Constabulary wishes to make a formal announcement of the sudden, but peaceful death this afternoon of Hector Duff MM BEM OBE TH at the age of 101. Hector retired as a police sergeant in 1972.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: “Hector was a remarkable man, perhaps the greatest person it has been my privilege to know. His courage, dignity, wickedly good humour and fundamental decency marked him out as someone special. Everyone associated with the Constabulary feels great sadness this evening, but also a real sense of pride in that we knew such a great Manx man. Hector’s family have been greatly saddened by his passing, but they will take strength from the depth of feeling that the Manx public had for him. They are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The Onchan Branch of the Royal British Legion, of which he was president, left this tribute: