A CHIDDINGFOLD member of a group of crack commandos, whose efforts helped ensure the success of the Allied landings, died before the June 6 commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The funeral service for John Ashford, who has died aged 94, was held at St Mary’s Church on January 23.

Mr Ashford was one of only two survivors of the Combined Operation Pilotage Parties, or COPPs.

His death leaves just one other known survivor – Jim Booth, who sailed on an X-Craft submarine from Fort Blockhouse in Gosport, and used beacons to guide Allied bombers and naval gunners to their targets at dawn on June 6, 1944, as the invasion began.

The wartime record of COPPs was kept completely secret until the late 1950s.

They were a team of 174 men, including specialist marines, trained under navy Lieutenant Commander Nigel Wilmott at Hayling Island Sailing Club.

The organisers of the Hayling D-Day 75 celebration had invited Mr Ashford to be their guest of honour.

He had attended the last three services held at the Hayling COPP Memorial, including its dedication in 2012.

Countess Mountbatten, whose father Lord Louis Mountbatten had given the top-secret order to create the unit in December 1942, dedicated the memorial.

Organiser Robin Walton said: “John met Prince Charles during his visit in 2015 when there were four COPPists with us.

“Sadly now just Jim is left and he will be in Normandy on the D-Day anniversary.

“We are very sad to learn of John’s passing, but we are pleased the memorial was built in time for a number of the commandos to see how much the island wanted to pay tribute to their bravery.

“John always said how pleased he was with the stone and being able to return to pay his respects to former comrades.”