A 92-YEAR-OLD World War Two veteran from Mylor Bridge was among 21 former serviceman to receive France's highest military honour in a ceremony in Truro yesterday.

Angus Nicholson, a private in the Seaforth Highlanders, was given the Legion d'Honneur for his part in the invasion of occupied France in June 1944 during a ceremony at County Hall.

Also receiving their medals from the French government were Alfred Wadingham from Penryn. He served on HMS Prins Albert and took part in several Commando raids including Dieppe, the D-Day landings on 6th June, 1944, on Sword Beach then Juno Beach, Gold Beach and Omaha Beach.

Kenneth Angell from Helston was a private in the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. 

He served in Normandy with the Glider Borne Infantry.  His glider landed on June 6, 1944, on Normandy coast and he fought the enemy until he was returned to base in England on 4th September, 1944.

The Chairman of Cornwall Council, Ann Kerridge hosted the award ceremony on behalf of the French Government and the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall in recognition of the gallantry and bravery shown in the liberation of France from the Nazis in 1944-1945.

The French Honorary Consul presented the 21 veterans with the Legion d’honneur in the Council Chamber.

Thanking everyone for attending the ceremony, Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant Edward Bolitho, added: “ To most of us here today the events of the second world war are history, but to the very select band of people at the centre of this ceremony it is not only history; to them it was real life as well. 

“71 years ago, these veterans were in the Armed Forces, fighting for their friends and their country, fighting for the liberation of France, fighting to free Europe from the tyranny of the Nazis.  For many these were some of the most dramatic months of their lives, full of memories that remain with them vividly, to this day: exhilaration and terror; excitement, happiness and horror; comradeship and sadness. 

“It has been a real pleasure to be part of the presentation of these Legion d’Honneur, the highest decoration in France and one that dates back to 1802. I would like to thank and congratulate all the veterans taking part in this ceremony, not only on behalf of myself and the people of Cornwall, but also as the Queen’s representative in Cornwall, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. “

The veterans were from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, including the Parachute Regiment and a whole host of other regiments, and the RAF. All had served in Normandy. 

The Légion d’honneur was established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte and is France’s highest distinction and is awarded in recognition of both military and civilian merit.