The family of Geoffrey Frank Kirby have asked the Ross Gazette to let all his friends and acquaintances in Ross-on-Wye know that he is very much alive, and the reason his daughter is emptying his apartment at Ashburton Court is because he has decided to move to Australia to live with his family.

Mr Kirby, who is known as both Geoff and as Frank, is 95 years old and has lived in Ross for 60 years.

He has many friends in the area but since his wife died five years ago, his daughter has been hoping he would move to Australia with his family. He recently went to stay with them on holiday and, while he was there, decided to stay.

While Frank was with his family, they marked Anzac Day which was very poignant as he was one of three WWII veterans at the ceremonies in April. He was accompanied by his son-in-law, Commander Steve Thompson RAN.

Frank was part of 4th Royal Tank regiment that landed at Normandy on Gold Beach on D Day 75 years ago and then moved on through France and Germany.

Frank will be living with his daughter, Jane, her husband, Steve and his, granddaughter, Lucy.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.