Tributes have poured in for one of the oldest remaining veterans of the battle of Arnhem after his death, aged 101.
Beloved Second World War veteran Wilf Oldham, from Radcliffe, passed away on Saturday November 27 after a short illness, surrounded by his family.
Heartbroken friends rushed to pay tribute to Wilf, who was described as a "superstar" by members of the Bolton branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, where he was a member.
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Messages poured in from The Netherlands too, with Dutch professional football team Vitesse leading the tributes.
A statement from the club, translated by the Manchester Evening News, read: "Wilf was, among other things, the face of the annual Airborne competition and avid visitor to it.
"A season and a half ago, Wilf presented the new Airborne shirt together with Vitesse.
"In the Covid period he was always up for addressing our supporters through a video, always with some humor.
"Vitesse wishes the family and friends of the veteran a lot of strength during this difficult period."
The dad-of-two served with the 1st Battalion Border Regiment (Airborne), and was one of 35,000 British, American, and Polish troops who parachuted behind enemy lines to try and seize bridges in the province of Arnhem in 1944.
It was his second airborne operation, after his first glider mission in July 1943 saw him crash into the sea three miles off the Sicilian coast - where he was rescued from eight hours later.
Tragically, Wilf lost many friends in the fight, part of the well-known Operation Market Garden, which was the basis for the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.
He struggled with returning to the site for many years, staying away for almost half a decade.
However, since the 45th commemoration of the battle, he has attended almost every anniversary - staying with the same host family, Peter and Maria Hagelen in Heelsum, each time he visits.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper Eindhovens Dagblad, the pair said: "Wilf was like family to us, he called us his extended family.
"We were looking forward to seeing him again in his hometown of Radcliffe.
"We were on the phone with him two days [before he died].
"He'd had a minor heart attack last weekend, but it didn't look like he would die so soon. This is very sad.
"He just radiated goodness.
"He made an enormous effort to tell the story of the Second World War, which he also did at schools in Arnhem.”
Wilf was the oldest person to be recognised in the 2020 New Year Honours list, where he was made an MBE for services to commemorations and UK/Dutch relations in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas list.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News at the time, Wilf said: "I'm a very humble man and I feel very proud because obviously somebody recommended me or put my name forward.
"I feel very proud that somebody's gone to this trouble.
"I must admit I don't know whether I was more shocked or surprised because that was the last thing I ever expected from anything to do with the war."
Born in Salford, in August 1920, Wilf was the second-youngest of seven children.
He trained in North Africa before serving in Italy, Arnhem, Norway, and Germany.
After the war he returned to Greater Manchester and started working in a paper mill.
Friend Dave Baverstock paid tribute to the "titan of a human" on the Airborne Memoirs Facebook Page - which he runs to share the stories of veterans.
He said: "I am truly heartbroken.
"Wilf was an absolute gentleman, loved by many, disliked by none, a legend and inspiration, a titan of a human being.
"His zest for life and positive outlook were infectious beyond words.
"He will indeed be greatly missed by those whose hearts he touched and melted along the way.
"Our beloved Arnhem veterans are now becoming fewer by the month.
"However, these giants of a diminishing generation will live on, their deeds honoured and remembered."
Details of Wilf's funeral are still being arranged, but it is hoped that he can be given a military funeral to honour his service to the country.
