RAF war hero ‘gave up on will to live’ following announcement his home would be demolished for Heathrow third runway
The war hero's widow Armelle Thomas said her 'life is ruined' after devastating loss and airport expansion decision
AN RAF war hero died after planners announced his home would be demolished to make way for the third Heathrow runway, his widow claims.
Armelle Thomas, 70, said Tommy, 93, “gave up the will to live” on getting the letter in July last year at their home in Harmondsworth, West London.
She claims the threat destroyed Tommy's quality of life and added to the stress of losing his beloved home. He died just eight weeks later.
Armelle then made a promise to protect the village her World War II veteran husband Tommy, 'fell in love with' when he first moved there in 1964.
Armelle even placed a banner outside her home reading "John Holland-Kaye killed my husband, he will not destroy our home" ahead of Tuesday's announcement.
But government ministers have backed the expansion of Heathrow Airport rather than Gatwick, leaving the future of three west London villages uncertain.
Armelle said: “My life is ruined.
"Tommy's legacy was to stay in this village.
"In 1965 he fell in love with this village and he fell in love with me and we spent 50 years living in our home."
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Tommy was awarded the Légion D'honneur for courage by the French government in 1991.
Determined Armelle will carry on the fight against airport expansion.
She added: "Heathrow Airport stole my husband, please don't let it steal my memories."
Heathrow have been approached for a comment.