Eisenhower’s driver dies after attack in home for £40 and his bus pass

THE family of a 90-year-old Second World War veteran, who died after being violently robbed in his home, appealed for help yesterday to catch his killer.

Geoffrey Bacon was ambushed at the doorstep of the flat in Camberwell, south London, where he had lived for more than 40 years. The widower suffered a broken hip as his attacker ransacked his Peabody Estate home and escaped with just £40 (€50) and his bus pass. He was left banging the floor of his hallway with his walking stick for half an hour to raise the alarm.

Police said Bacon, who once worked as a driver for United States General Dwight Eisenhower, spent 11 weeks in hospital before dying on August 5. A post mortem examination found he died as a direct result of the attack almost four months earlier.

Bacon’s son, Philip Bacon, and daughter-in-law, Jean, both 63, of Whitstable, Kent, said they were shocked anyone could target someone so frail.

Bacon said losing his independence was the “final straw” for his father, a well-known and liked character in the area, who became “disillusioned”.

He added: “He was attacked from behind and punched and kicked on the ground. He had bruising to his shoulder and a broken hip. How could anyone do that to a poor old chap?

“They went out and shut the door and just left him there. He hammered on the floor with his walking stick for 30 minutes and called for help until a neighbour heard and called the police.

“If he had asked my dad he would have given him the money, £30 or £40, whatever he wanted it for. There was no need to attack my dad, no need at all.”

His wife added: “Why for that small amount of money? And why would you hurt someone so frail? He couldn’t understand why someone would do what they did to him.”

The attack took place after Bacon visited shops and returned to his flat on Camberwell Green on Monday April 26.

As he entered the flat, he was violently bundled to the floor by a man who punched him in the face and demanded money.

Police are searching for a light-skinned black man, aged between 30 and 40, who may also be responsible for a second attack on the same day.

A 66-year-old woman, walking with a stick, was assaulted and had her handbag stolen by a man who then hit her with it.

Detective Inspector Richard Beadle said a reward of £20,000 was on offer for information that would catch the culprit.

He said: “This is the sort of crime which touches a chord with people. This attack ultimately killed Geoff Bacon and we will do everything in our power to find the person responsible.”