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More on KentOnline
A Second World War veteran continued to talk about the times he met Brad Pitt until he died.
Peter Comfort, of Chapel Lane, Ripple, died of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, aged 95, on April 1.
In 2013, he was invited to meet the Hollywood A-lister on the set of war film Fury in Hertfordshire where he shared what life was like inside the tanks.
The following year he was greeted with a hug and accompanied the star down the red carpet at the London premiere of the blockbuster.
The ex-soldier told the Mercury at the time he was impressed with the actor’s depiction, having himself served in the 13/18 Royal Hussars Queen Mary’s Own and assigned to the Sherman tanks – the tanks involved in D-Day.
These fond memories with the global superstar were stories he continued to recall to loved ones.
His daughter Helen Church said: “He would talk about it all the time.
“He really appreciated the fact they wanted to portray it realistically in the film, exactly what it was like and thought they did a very good job..." Helen Church
“He’d say that it was a fantastic experience and how much he enjoyed it and what a nice time he had.
“He really appreciated the fact they wanted to portray it realistically in the film, exactly what it was like and thought they did a very good job.
“He [Brad Pitt] did keep in touch with dad to a certain level. It was always directly from him rather than a PA.”
Born on May 30, 1923, Mr Comfort was brought up in Deal and attended Sir Roger Manwood’s School in Sandwich.
He joined up, aged 21 to Regiment 13th /18th Royal Hussars, now known as The Light Dragoons, serving from 1942 until 1947. He was the last survivor of his regiment.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, where the British infantry were supposed to seize the city of Caen from the Germans, he landed at Sword beach, Ouistreham.
Out of 36 tanks, 32 hit the shore but on Omaha beach where the American tanks were they all sank.
It was this experience he recalled to Mr Pitt.
Peter advised on Fury starring Brad Pitt
Mrs Church says her father rarely spoke about his years of service and if he did it would be to male members of the family.
She said: “He was always very sad around anniversaries. He often went on parades and he was very proud of his regiment.”
Following his military spell, he took over his father Percy’s business at 90 High Street, Deal. P.R Comfort Ironmongers later moved to what is now occupied by Lynda’s in Queen Street.
Mrs Church said her knowledgable father travelled to Germany to learn about self service, becoming one of the first shops in the town to adopt the new trend.
His hobbies included steam engines and he was the proud owner of Boadicea, a 1909 Marshall Compound traction engine, which he would regularly show off in the Deal Regatta Carnival parades and at our local steam rallies.
His nickname was ‘Cosy’ Comfort given to him by his comrades. In his latter years, he travelled around the town with a ‘Cosy’ number plate hung from his mobility scooter.
Mrs Church said: “I’ll remember him as a very funny guy, always telling jokes and being very very kind. He would do anything for anyone.”
He leaves his wife of 65 years Rosemary, two children Helen and Stephen and six grandchildren.
Mr Comfort’s funeral is on Friday, April 26 at 2pm at Ripple Church. All who knew him are welcome.
Family flowers only but donations to the Light Dragoons Charitable Trust.
The family have tried to notify Brad Pitt of Mr Comfort’s passing via a mutual contact.
