A NORMANDY war veteran died of a heart attack while on parade outside York Minster at a reunion this weekend.

George Kidd Clark, 82, from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, was one of more than 1,000 veterans who met in York for their annual reunion. Mr Clark is understood to have been ill for some time but, despite concern expressed by his family, he insisted on taking part in the parade yesterday.

The ex-soldiers, all members of the Normandy Veterans' Association, were told the news when they returned to Imphal Barracks for high tea after the service at York Minster.

Major David Robertson, of Imphal Barracks, York, who organised the event, said: "Sadly, George Clark collapsed and died of a heart attack on the parade.

"But he knew he was ill and he'd insisted to his son, who was accompanying him, that he wanted to come for the reunion. His wife suggested that he shouldn't go on parade, but he insisted.

"His family felt and said they couldn't feel there would have been a more appropriate way for him to have been taken - among his old comrades - and while it was very sad, he was doing what he wanted to do."

Although Mr Clark's death overshadowed the main event, it was considered to be an overall success, with a memorial tablet being unveiled in the Minster to provide a permanent tribute to those who died during the Normandy campaign.

The veterans, who came from all over the country, including York, were greeted by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell, and the civic party.

The salute was conducted by Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, who is the brigade and garrison commander at Imphal Barracks, York.

After a moving service, the Dean dedicated the tablet inside the Minster and the veterans marched past the South Transept steps as the Lord Mayor, Coun Shan Braund, and Brigadier Farquhar took the salute.

Major Robertson said: "They had a very pleasant high tea followed by a very touching and emotional sunset ceremony after which the flag was lowered and they went off to their homes."

A spokesman for the York coroner's office confirmed Mr Clark's death had been reported, and said a post mortem examination was being conducted today.