'Extraordinary' Royal Navy D-Day veteran who 'lived a life of courage' dies aged 101

Tributes have been paid to a D-Day veteran who has died at the age of 101.

Alec Penstone, who lived on the Isle of Wight and was a submarine detector on HMS Campania, stopping U-boats on D-Day, died on Thursday (May 28). In a statement, the Royal Naval Association (RNA) said: “A proud wartime veteran, Alec lived an extraordinary life of courage, service and resilience, and leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

“Alec was just 15 years old when war broke out. As the blitz devastated London, he volunteered as a part-time air raid precautions messenger, serving throughout 1940 and 1941. Reflecting on those difficult days, Alec once said: ‘At 15 years of age, pulling bodies out of bombed buildings, you grow up very quickly.’ As soon as he was old enough, Alec joined the Royal Navy.”

The association reported Mr Penstone as saying: “My mates were all going up, joining up, and I decided that I don’t want to stay there any longer. I went and joined the Royal Navy, as a HO (hydrographic officer), and that was the start of it.”

The statement added: “Alec served aboard HMS Campania, an escort aircraft carrier tasked with sweeping for mines and hunting U-boats. Much of his service was spent three decks below on constant action stations, listening for torpedoes, mines and enemy submarines in the unforgiving conditions of the Atlantic and Arctic seas.

“He went on to complete 10 Arctic convoys, returning home forever shaped by the experience and sacrifice of war. As a nation, we owe our today to veterans like Alec. The Royal Naval Association was honoured to count him among our beloved members and shipmates, and we remember him with immense pride, gratitude and affection. Fair winds and following seas, Shipmate Alec.”

Captain Bill Oliphant, chief executive of the RNA, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Alec’s passing. Alec represented the very best of his generation: courageous, resilient and full of life. He was a true legend, and the Royal Naval Association will honour and remember him always.”

The Isle of Wight branch of the Parachute Regimental Association posted on Facebook: “Alec was one of the last remaining members of the generation who answered their country’s call during the Second World War.

“Beginning his service in the Royal Navy in 1943, he served through some of the war’s most significant moments, including the preparations for D-Day aboard HMS Campania, before continuing his service in the Far East until his demobilisation in 1946. Throughout his life, Alec remained dedicated to remembering those who never returned.

“As recently as the 80th anniversary of D-Day, he travelled to Normandy to honour his fallen comrades, reminding us all that their sacrifice must never ever be forgotten. Alec was a proud member of the Isle of Wight’s veteran community and remained closely connected to his fellow servicemen and women throughout his remarkable life.

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“His courage, honesty, and commitment to the values for which his generation fought earned him the respect of all who knew him. The members of the Parachute Regimental Association Isle of Wight branch extend our sincere condolences to Alec’s family, friends, and comrades in the Royal Naval Association and wider armed forces family.”

Mr Penstone spoke with The News in 2025 when he was invited to see the Standing With GIants memorial silhuoettes. He said the installation was “absolutely marvellous” and shows the present generation what can be done.

“The more you show them, the better it will be for all of us. There’s not many of us now. Last year when I went back to Normandy, I realised the amount of people we killed unintentionally from our bombing and shelling. It hurt me.”

Speaking about the soldiers represented in the silhouettes, he added: “They were all heroes, everyone of them. They called us heroes, but that’s not right. We were the lucky ones who came back. I’m so pleased these are being shown all over the country.”