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Nottingham’s Vicky McClure said her grandfather only started to speak about his experiences in the war in recent years

The Line of Duty actress said: “My Grandad Ralph peacefully passed away this morning.

“His love for football, gardening and his family kept him young all these years.

“I feel so grateful having so many special memories with him.

“A much loved hero by all and a loving Grandad to all his grandkids and great grandkids.

“Sleep well Grandad, back with Nana Jean now, giggling and dancing in the stars. Ralph McClure, 1.2.25 - 2.12.24.”

D-Day veteran Ralph McClure, who has died at the age of 99.

Mr McClure, who grew up in Nottingham, had served in the Royal Navy during World War Two.

He had ferried tanks and heavy equipment to the beaches.

He played a crucial part in Operation Overlord as a signaller on a landing craft tank.

Mr McClure had spoken to the media previously about his part in the D-Day invasion as "a job to be done".

He said: "I was going down and I could hear ‘Ping! Ping! Ping!’ and I thought ‘that must be snipers!’

"They had German snipers in the houses and I just dropped and threw myself into where the tanks had been where they couldn’t get you.

"These are the bits of the landing you don’t forget.”

Vicky McClure's heartfelt tribute to her D-Day veteran grandad from Nottingham