War Hero Walks Granddaughter Down The Aisle At The Age Of 101

A hero who fought in World War II made his granddaughter’s wedding day one to remember when he walked her down the aisle at the age of 101.

William MacLean made his granddaughter Sarah Morson’s big day an even more emotional occasion when he escorted her to the altar.

Sadly, her father died of cancer 11 years ago, leaving the 26-year-old bride-to-be with no obvious candidate to do the honour.

But that was until her grandfather came forward to make her special day all the more special.

William’s son and his wife Marie died last year, and it was at her funeral that Sarah and her fiancé Sean asked her grandfather if he would walk her down the aisle.

“We have always been very close, I absolutely adore him,” said Sarah, a business manager in Manchester.

“He was very happy when we were engaged, so we thought it would be a happy thing for him to look forward to.

“He took his responsibility very seriously, and he has told my husband that I am his responsibility now.

“I could not be more proud of him. He has dealt with a lot as a war hero, and personally also.”

William jokingly describes himself as “101-and-a-half”. He lost his teeth in an explosion during the Second World War.

He initially wanted to be a pilot, but couldn’t because he was colour blind. He became a paratrooper in the 6th Airborne Division and landed in Normandy as part of the D-Day landings, where he met his brother, Ian, on the beach two days later.

William received the French honour of the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, awarded for acts of heroism in combat.

He received the medal for organising fire-fighting parties to put out fires at an ammunition dump.

“He is very proud of his military career and attends memorial services whenever he can,” said Sarah.

“He has spent time with Eddie Izzard in Normandy, and he remembers that my granny was thrilled because he gave her a kiss!”

After the war, William became a GP. He lives in Edinburgh.

“It’s difficult to see him as much as I would like, because we live so far from each other,” said Sarah.

“When I do see him we just sit holding hands. He likes holding hands, as he says lots of people don’t like to touch old people. I think when you are as old as he is you have good perspective, and he is fully aware that I adore him, and he loves me too!”

(Pictures: Caters)