Brighton bus named after D-Day veteran Ken

A Brighton bus has been named after the late blind veteran Ken, who was one of the first to land on Sword Beach on D-Day and later lived at our rehabilitation centres in Ovingdean and Rustington.

The Brighton & Hove Buses Coaster route bus now carries Ken’s name on the front, with an information panel inside sharing his story with passengers.

A fitting tribute

The tribute is especially fitting as Ken had a strong connection to the route. After leaving the Army, he worked as a bus driver with Southdown Motor Services for eight years and drove the route now served by the bus named in his honour.

The route also passes our former rehabilitation centre in Ovingdean, the place Ken called home after he lost his sight.

Ken’s D-Day story

Ken, who was born in East Sussex, joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a driver in 1942. On 6 June 1944, he was among the Allied troops who landed in Normandy.

Before arriving on the beach, Ken helped waterproof the vehicles that would be driven ashore by extending the exhaust pipes and sealing them.

He drove onto Sword Beach at 7.30am. Remembering that morning, Ken said the beach was noisy and that German forces were waiting for them. When asked if he was scared, he simply said:

“You had to do it. That was it.”

Ken shared his memories of D-Day with us shortly before he sadly passed away in April 2024, aged 101.

He was one of the first veterans to receive the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest order of merit, in recognition of his role in the liberation of France.

Remembering Ken

Brighton & Hove Buses has been naming its buses after people who have made a significant contribution to the local area since 1999. Other names include Norman Cook, Chris Eubank, and our founder, Sir Arthur Pearson.

Jo Parker-Smith, our Community Engagement Lead, thanked Brighton & Hove Buses for the tribute and for its ongoing dedication to providing accessible bus services in the local area, helping blind veterans regain their independence.

Rupert Cox, Interim Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses, said the company was proud to honour Ken and celebrate both his service during D-Day and his later connection to the local bus network.

Read more D-Day stories

Ken was one of many blind veterans who served during the D-Day landings.

In 2024, to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we gathered memories from some of our veterans who were there, serving across the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Their stories are a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and lasting impact of that day. As time passes, these first-hand memories become even more precious.

Read our veterans’ D-Day stories and help keep their memories alive.