One Of Last Of WWII's Desert Rats Dies Aged 107

Jimmy Sinclair was described as an "incredible man", while Scotland's First Minister said she was "proud to call him a friend".

One of the last surviving members of the Desert Rats from the Second World War has died aged 107.

Jimmy Sinclair fought in the North African campaign as a gunner with the elite Cheshunt Troop, 1st Regiment Horse Artillery of 7th Armoured Division.

The Desert Rats were famous for defeating the Nazi’s Afrika Korps, led by Erwin Rommel.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that Mr Sinclair was "one of the most remarkable people" she ever "had the privilege of meeting".

"I was proud to call him a friend," she added.

During Mr Sinclair's time in service, he fought in the Siege of Tobruk which lasted for 241 days. 

The CEOs of two of Scotland's leading Armed Forces charities paid tribute to Mr Sinclair, calling him an "incredible man".

In a joint statement, Mark Bibbey from Poppyscotland and Dr Claire Armstrong from Legion Scotland, said: "There is no better way to sum up this wonderful man than highlighting that he refused to wear his medals out of solidarity for those he served with that were lost.

“We are blessed that so many were able to hear Jimmy’s incredible story over the years and it was no surprise that he received numerous commendations for his service during the Second World War and, following that, with the Allied Control Commission in Berlin."

Cover image: Wattie Cheung/Poppyscotland.