Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has described Second World War paratroopers as “heroes” after concluding that a Fife man’s Normandy landings exploits were similar to her own grandfather’s.
After reading about former 7th Battalion The Parachute Regiment Eric Tandy’s 95th birthday celebrations in Glenrothes on Tuesday, the 42-year-old former Hear’Say singer got in touch with The Courier via Twitter to say: “Wow this is amazing! This man would probably have known my grandad as he was also dropped behind enemy lines on the way to Pegasus Bridge. Heroes!”
Wow this is amazing! This man would probably have known my grandad as he was also dropped behind enemy lines on the way to Pegasus bridge!! Heroe’s!!! X
— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) February 26, 2019
Ms Marsh, who has been reportedly dating a Scottish major in the Parachute Regiment, made the comment just a day after it was announced she is taking an extended break later this year from her role of Michelle Connor in Corrie.
The Courier told how, as part of the D-Day landings on June 6 1944, Mr Tandy was accidentally dropped behind enemy lines and tried to make his way back to his own regiment through a minefield only to be captured by the enemy and held half-starved in a prisoner of war camp before being force marched with fellow POWs to become human shields in Berlin.
The story of Mr Tandy, who held a 95th birthday celebration in Glenrothes, has also captured the imagination of former soldiers and paras who have been in touch to pass on their regards.
The Parachute Regiment said on Twitter: “Once a paratrooper, always a paratrooper. Good effort Eric!”
Once a paratrooper, always a paratrooper. Good effort Eric! https://t.co/LWpTMQrTEN
— TheParachuteRegiment (@TheParachuteReg) February 25, 2019
