Tributes have been offered to a World War II Royal Navy veteran who tragically passed away at the age of 109, having been recognized for his valor on the perilous Arctic Convoys. Throughout a life devoted to his nation, his community, and his loved ones, Frank Chester was also celebrated for his benevolent nature, with his daughter sharing that she “never witnessed him lose his temper, which is truly remarkable.”
Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, on April 10, 1917, Mr. Chester died in a nursing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire, on Sunday, nine days after his birthday. Prior to his passing, he was the third oldest man in the UK and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). The Royal British Legion noted that the great-grandfather was among the oldest surviving World War II veterans, and records indicate he was the oldest man in Worcestershire.
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His daughter, Ruth Pole, stated that her father was “extremely, extremely modest” and was employed by HM Customs and Excise before being conscripted to serve his country during the Second World War.
Following Victory in Europe Day, he relocated to Walsall, in the West Midlands, where he spent a significant portion of his adult life, married, and raised a family.
Daughter Ruth commented: “The DSC citation essentially detailed continuous bravery in the face of persistent danger, when he could easily have faltered. But he simply persevered relentlessly.”
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Demonstrating that his commitment to public service lasted his entire life, on his 100th birthday nine years ago, he opened a card from the Queen, enjoyed cake, and then volunteered for a three-hour shift at his local food bank in Malvern.
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The veteran was born the second eldest of five siblings and recounted sitting in a pram with his elder brother, waving a celebratory flag at the conclusion of World War I.
The former pupil of Ludlow Grammar School served as a First Lieutenant during WWII aboard HMS Honeysuckle, traversing the globe.
He mentioned that he had envisioned spending his days on “a cruiser in a warmer climate” but instead found himself on a “rusty, old ship requiring paint in Liverpool.”
Mr Chester recalled an engagement where his vessel was targeted by German aircraft while escorting two submarines off the Norwegian coast.
He remarked: “Upon sighting the German aircraft, we understood it was heading for us. I knew they intended to bomb us. I could hear a rattling sound but quickly realized it was my knees knocking together.”
After the war, he moved to Walsall in 1949 and met his future wife, the actress Elizabeth (Lily) Proud.
Mr Chester reminisced: “Six weeks later, we decided we would spend the remainder of our lives together – Lily was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.”
Their union endured for over five decades, and he retired from HMRC in 1987.
Reflecting, Mr Chester revealed he had the choice between the Army or the Navy when the war commenced.
“Unfortunately for him, he discovered after going to sea that he suffered from seasickness, but with his characteristic resilience, he persisted,” his daughter Ruth explained.
“He was on a corvette [ship] for a considerable portion of the war, and the work they undertook was extremely perilous, as they accompanied the Arctic Convoys to and through Russia, which was a highly dangerous area.”
She added that her father discussed the war more frequently in his retirement and reconnected with some of his former Navy comrades.
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She continued: “My dad was wonderful. I feel incredibly grateful and honored to have had such a truly lovely father, who has provided me with a tremendous amount of self-assurance and security. Indeed, I feel immensely proud of him.”
When Mr Chester reached the age of 107, while residing at Hastings Residential Care Home in Malvern, he reflected on his many years by saying: “The Lord has been exceptionally kind to me daily; I offer my prayers each morning and thank Him for granting me another day.”