'Great Escaper' Bernard Jordan's Widow Dies

The widow of a D-Day veteran who slipped out of a care home to attend the 70th anniversary events in France has died a week after he passed away.

Bernard Jordan was nicknamed the Great Escaper by the media after he took a ferry to Normandy wearing his war medals and grey mac.

He died in hospital, aged 90 , on December 30.

Irene Jordan died on Tuesday, just seven days after losing her husband.

Amanda Scott, managing director of Gracewell Healthcare which runs The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, where the couple lived, confirmed the 88-year-old's death.

"Irene and Bernie will both be much missed by everyone at the home and our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family at this sad time," she said in a statement.

Mr Jordan's disappearance last June led to a police search and it was only discovered he was in France when another veteran called to say he had met the care home runaway.

Following his death, the Royal British Legion said Mr Jordan's decision to go to France highlighted "the spirit that epitomises the Second World War generation".

He was later made an honorary alderman of Brighton and Hove in a special ceremony at Brighton Town Hall.

Brighton and Hove mayor Brian Fitch paid tribute to Mrs Jordan following her death saying: "They were a very close couple who will both be sadly missed.

"They had been married for more than 50 years and were a devoted couple. After he had gone, she probably gave up the will."

A minute's silence will be held at the next full meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council to remember the couple.