WWII Veteran Jeff Haward MM who fought from Dunkirk to D Day died on 3 March aged 102
Jeff Haward was born in Finchley in 1919, he had two sons John and Keith and settled in Rochester, Kent after the war.
WWII Veteran Jeff Haward MM served with the 1/7th battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He reported for duty at the age of 18 in September 1939 and went to France in January 1940. He is one of the few who fought from Dunkirk to D Day during WWII.
Jeff was a very popular member of the Taxi Charity. He loved being part of the charity trips throughout the UK and especially to Normandy for the D Day commemorations accompanied by his companion and carer Doreen.
Image – Glyn Dewis
Author Neil Barber who wrote a book with Jeff called ‘Fighting Hitler From Dunkirk to D Day’ said, “It’s hard to believe that Jeff has gone, even though we knew it was inevitable. So many people will miss him and that’s a testament to the man himself. His politeness, dignity and humour were ever-present. He was so grateful for everything that the Taxi Charity did for him, and it became a huge part of his later life. Rest in peace, Jeff.”
Dick Goodwin, Vice President, Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said, “Jeff was one of the special generation that we should never forget. He fought throughout WWII, enlisting in 1939 and taking part in both Dunkirk and D Day. In 2020 he was filmed by ITV Meridian for Remembrance Sunday, and I remember vividly how moved the camera operator was to have the opportunity to meet Jeff. A true gentlemen, soft spoken, caring and a very special member of the Taxi Charity family who will be missed by us all. Stand at ease Sir your duty is done.”
Jeff’s funeral will take place at 1pm on Monday 28th March at Thames View Crematorium and Cemetery, Gravesend Road, Chalk, Gravesend. DA12 3JH.
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers veterans visit www.taxicharity.org
About the Taxi Charity
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans of all ages since 1948. The charity arranges free trips to the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or fundraising events in the UK, to catch up with friends and comrades.
The Charity worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure veterans received regular contact by sending out a greeting card each month, gifts to mark the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ day, stockings at Christmas and arranging Guards of Honour at veterans’ funerals. Volunteers have also helped with regular phone calls, food shopping, transport to hospital appointments, and more recently taking veterans for their Coronavirus injections.
The charity was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2021.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is reliant on generous donations from members of the public, businesses, and trusts.
