War hero Hector Duff has been admitted to hospital.

The Royal British Legion’s Onchan branch has reported on its Facebook page that the 99-year-old was taken to Noble’s on Friday.

One of its members visited today and reported that he was doing well.

Mr Duff will be 100 on October 15.

Hector Duff was born in Sulby in 1919.

He was working on the Isle of Man Railway when, at the age of 19, he called up to fight in the Second World War. He served in the 7th Armoured Division (known as the Desert Rats) from 1940 to 1945.

His time in service took him across Europe and northern Africa, taking part in the battles of El-Alamein in 1942 and the invasion of Italy in 1943. His division was in Normandy on the afternoon of D-Day, and they continued through France and into Germany, taking part in the Victory Parade in Berlin.

His service continued in Germany after the end of war, where he was involved in the early work of the Nuremberg Trials.

For his war service he received a citation and was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery.

On his return to the Isle of Man Duff briefly resumed his career as a railway worker, before joining the Isle of Man police, where he served for 30 years.

On his retirement, Duff dedicated himself to ensuring that those who lost their lives serving in the world wars are not forgotten. For many years he was guardian of the island’s many war memorials, which he recorded and cared for; the War Memorials Committee now assists him with this task.

At the age of 95, when he was awarded the Tynwald Honour, Mr Duff was serving as Chairman of the Normandy Veterans’ Association, chairman of the Joint Ex-Service Association, a member of the Isle of Man Government Armed Forces Day Committee, a member of the War Pensions Committee, and as a member of the committee of the Police Benevolent Fund. He was also still involved in the work of the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families’ Association.