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3 months ago
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The D-Day veteran who moved Queen Camilla to tears with his poignant story of losing his best friend in the war told Mail Online: 'I have never stopped thinking about those who did not come home.'
Eric Bateman said he had been 'overwhelmed' at meeting the Queen and King Charles who were both visibly moved by his appearance at the 80th anniversary commemorations.
He also cheekily said he was pleased to have been 'hugged and kissed' by actress Dame Helen Mirren during an emotional service in Portsmouth.
The 98-year-old, who was on the warship HMS Erebus during the Normandy invasion said:' I can't really believe that the King and Queen knelt down to speak to me.
'I just feel very humble that they would want to meet me. It has been such an overwhelming and special occasion.
Eric Bateman (pictured) said he had been 'overwhelmed' at meeting the Queen and King Charles
Queen Camilla greets D-Day veteran Eric Bateman, who stood to meet her, following the UK's national commemorative event yesterday to mark the 80th anniversary
The King and Queen watched proceedings from the Royal Box after Charles had delivered his speech
Queen Camilla was overcome with emotion as a war veteran recounts the horror of losing his best friend on the beaches of Normandy
D-Day veteran Eric Bateman (left) speaks alongside his son-in-law Keith (right) during the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day yesterday
Eric Bateman, talked about his best mate Fred who he signed up with, with him on stage were his two great-grand daughters Imogen and Annabel. On screen behind him was a photo of him as a young soldier
The Prince of Wales shakes hands with Mr Bateman after he delivered his address
King Charles greets Eric Bateman after he had delivered his emotional address in Portsmouth yesterday
Eric's son Derek Bateman pictured with his wife Sylvia Bateman
Eric told MailOnline: 'I have never stopped thinking about those who did not come home'
'Lots of memories come back, but I have never stopped thinking about those that did not come home, like my best friend Fred Hardy.'
Eric revealed he and Fred had joined the Home Guard together in the home counties before enlisting in the Navy.
On D-Day Eric was with a host of other ships headed to Utah Beach where the US forces landed and suffered heavy losses.
He spent about a month off the coast of Normandy and watched in awe as allied invasion to force the Germans out of France began.
HMS Erubus was used to bombard the German defences with it 15inch guns.
'I remember leaning over the side and looking out to sea and there was just a carpet of ships. It was the most amazing site and one I have never forgotten.
His best friend Fred was not involved in the D-Day landings but instead based on the minesweeper HMS Manners.
They had both been in the Home Guard and joined the Navy at the same time and hoped to serve on the same ship.
After training Eric was assigned to the warship and set sail for the Normandy coast while his best friend was given other orders.
Eric said: 'A few weeks before the war ended in 1945 a sub torpedoed the ship when they were in the Irish Sea.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony in Normandy
King Charles appeared emotional as he walked with French President Emmanuel Macron by the memorial wall during the ceremony
King Charles, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Queen Camilla, and Brigitte Macron walk by the memorial wall during the ceremony
The King, Queen, President Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony
'Fred was lost. I feel so sorry that he never came home. I do think about him all the time, and all the others who never made it back. That is what's so sad with Fred. It was almost the end of the war and he lost his life. I do think about him all the time.
'All the celebrations that have taken place are for people like him and the others.
'I don't consider myself a hero. I was just doing what I had signed up to do, but it is wonderful to be here and to see that so many people appreciate what we did.'
Eric, from Bromley, south east London, was accompanied to to the commemoration event in Portsmouth by his wife of 74 years Valerie.
He was given a standing ovation by the crowd when he took the stage with a giant photo of the veteran in his naval uniform projected on to a screen.
King Charles and Camilla stood to applaud the veteran who had lied about his age to join the Home Guard in 1941 when he was 15 years old.
Eric was joined on the stage by his great-grandaughters as he told the audience he was lucky to be able to return and take part in the 80th commemoration.
He was particularly proud to see his great granddaughters Annabel and Imogen appear on stage to thank him and others for their bravery.
Eric said he met Dame Helen Mirren and with a glint in his eye added 'She gave me a little kiss and a hug which was nice.'
Revealing his chat with the King, Eric said: 'I told the King he was passed retirement age but he was still having to work. Not in a bad way, but he is so good and so friendly.
'It was like I was talking to a friend. He really puts you at ease.
'My wife told Camilla she looked lovely in in pink and she said how well we both looked.'
As Eric recalled his wartime heroics a young military cadet asked if he could have his photo taken with the veteran.
Eric was happy to oblige 16 year old Royal Marine Volunteer Cadet Kaya Jackson.
The pair gave each other a smart salute with Kaya saying he felt privileged to have met the D-Day veteran.
He said:' It is just great to meet someone who to people like me are a hero. They fought for our generation and others and gave so much. They deserved so much respect.'
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