Tributes Paid To WW2 Hero Who SWAM Back Towards England To Continue Fighting After Dieppe Raid

People have been paying their respects to a former Royal Marine who swam back to England after the disastrous Dieppe commando raid during WW2 - he has died aged 92.

Then 19, Alan Saunders managed to swim to the shore but found himself and scores of colleagues pinned down by enemy fire.

With no alternative, he went back into the sea with a handful of fellow Marines and swam for four or five hours before being rescued.

His daughter Susan Saunders-Miller said: ‘He wanted to continue fighting, but they ended up taking him back to England.

‘My father got told off for abandoning his kit, but nonetheless he survived.

‘He never once bragged about it or talked about it, he just got on with it. He had a wonderful mental attitude.

Mr Saunders in his Royal Marine uniform (Picture: SWNS)

Alan lost none of his bravery in old age when he celebrated his 92nd birthday with a ride on the world’s fastest zip wire - despite losing his sight.

He hurtled down the Welsh hills last September at more than 100mph to raise more than £2000 for Blind Veterans UK.

Before riding the zipwire, Alan said: ‘The older I get, the dafter I get. I’m having a good life, no doubt about it.

‘When my wife, Rosaleen, died I was looking at life through the bottom of a beer glass. I gave myself a kick up the arse and Blind Veterans UK helped me.’