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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Barnaby Kellaway & Katie Mansfield

Heartwarming moment WWII veteran leaves hospital after recovering from coronavirus

A 99-year-old man who was injured in the Second World War and survived three years as a prisoner of war has been discharged from hospital after defeating coronavirus.

An emotional video shows the veteran being wheeled out of hospital as teary staff give him a guard of honour and a rapturous round of applause.

Paige Lax, a nurse who helped to care for Albert, said: "Albert has been a wonderful patient.

"He's fought to get better... he wanted to get back home. He's pretty amazing."

Albert, 99, praised the nurses for the care he received (SWNS)

Albert, who turns 100 in July, had a fall at home around three weeks ago and broke his arm.

He was treated at Tickhill Road Hospital, where coronavirus tests came back positive.

The die-hard Liverpool fan, from Doncaster, South Yorks, received oxygen to help him battle the virus.

He said: "When I get home I'm going to tell all of my neighbours how marvellous the nurses are here.

"I want to say 'thank you very much' to them. I appreciate every bit of what they have done for me.

"They couldn't have been any better. I've been well kept and well looked after."

According to his grandson, Stephen Gater, Albert was a Coldstream Guard with the British Army and at one time helped protect Buckingham Palace.

While serving during the Second World War he suffered a leg injury and spent some years in a POW camp.

Speaking about the war, the pensioner simply said: "I survived that."

Stephen added: "My grandad is amazing. He's pretty incredible.
"He's not only survived the war and being in prison camp, now he's won the battle with Coronavirus."

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