The country's oldest war veteran has died.

John Wesley DeShield was just six months from his 100th birthday when he passed on Sunday afternoon.

His daughter Elizabeth Isaac described his passing as "very peaceful", but said: "We were so hoping he would survive until July 25 ¿ he was so hoping to get his letter from the Queen."

Mr. DeShield, of Pembroke, was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for his Queen and country.

As a soldier in the Bermuda Militia Infantry and the First Battalion of the Caribbean Regiment, he was ready to defend Bermuda both at home and abroad, a dedication which earned him the Italy Star, Africa Star, War Medal and the 1939-45 Medal.

His service during the Second World War took him from the United States to Italy, where he spent three months in the trenches before helping to transport thousands of prisoners-of-war on to camps in Egypt.

When war broke out in 1939, Mr. DeShield was married with four children, earning a living making ice cream for the Goodie Shop in Hamilton and off-loading barrels of kerosene from the docks. He was in his early 30s, enjoying family life, and did not want to go to war.

After being called into service however, Mr. DeShield became a member of the Bermuda Militia Infantry and was one of 109 Bermudians to volunteer for overseas duty.

He shipped off to Virginia, US, for three months' training in 1944 ¿ his first time off the Island, and became part of a new regiment ¿ the Caribbean Regiment.

In April the soldiers crossed the Atlantic to Sicily, Italy, and marched up to Florence where they served on the front line. Responsible for gathering up the POWs, they transported 26,000 Axis prisoners to Egypt and remained there as POW camp guards until the end of hostilities.

Returning to Bermuda and civilian life, Mr. DeShield then worked on the Island's US bases as a motor mechanic, retiring at the age of 70.

He remained in good health into his 90s, but in his later years was given round-the-clock care by his children.

Paying tribute to her father last night, Mrs. Isaac, 75, said: "He was a lovely man and a wonderful father. He loved life and was such a happy person."

Mr. DeShield was the son of tinsmith John Archibald DeShield and Maude Louise Armstrong, and was married to Edna, who passed in 1995 at the age of 85.

The Second World War veteran leaves five children ¿ Elizabeth Isaac, Wesley Robinson, Raymond DeShield, Marilyn Bailey and Dr. Bradlyn DeShield.