A D-Day veteran has been presented with France’s highest military decoration at a special ceremony in South Tyneside more than 70 years after the event.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Richard Porthouse, presented Robert Douglas from Hebburn with the Legion d’Honneur at Jarrow Town Hall for his service during the Second World War.
In 2014, in conjunction with events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings the French Government announced its decision to award the Legion d’Honneur to all surviving veterans. This was in recognition of the selfless acts of heroism and determination displayed by all veteran s of the Normandy landings in 1944, and the wider campaign to liberate France.
In 2014, in conjunction with events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings the French Government announced its decision to award the Legion d’Honneur to all surviving veterans.
“It is incredibly important that surviving veterans of the Normandy veterans are recognised for their commitment, heroism and the sacrifices they made when fighting for peace in 1944,” said the Mayor.
“I was honoured to present Robert with his Legion d’Honneur medal. I feel proud to have been able to thank him on behalf of the Borough as well as the French Government for defending the freedoms we have today and fighting for our future on those beaches in Normandy.”
Robert Douglas, chairman of Jarrow Normandy Veterans, was joined at the ceremony by two fellow ex-servicemen Jimmy Green and Randall Oliver who have already received their Legion d’Honneur medals from the French Government.
Robert, 91, said: “I was very proud to be presented with my medal by the Mayor of South Tyneside. All of my friends and family were there and they too were very pleased and happy to see me receiving my medal.”