WWII war veteran honoured with France's highest award

A 92-year-old southside war veteran who saw action during the D-Day landings has been given France's highest honour.
James Hughes 92-year-old war veteran awarded Frances highest honourJames Hughes 92-year-old war veteran awarded Frances highest honour
James Hughes 92-year-old war veteran awarded Frances highest honour

James Hughes from Muirend was born in September 1924 and on turning 18 received his call-up papers when he joined the Royal Signals.

He was sent to war in 1942, and as part of his service was transported to Normandy for the D-Day landings, before fighting his way through France and into Flensburg in Germany.

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His daughter Linda had read about France honouring all those brave individuals who had fought for the country and asked for the MOD to verify her dad’s service records.

Once that had been done, the French Government acknowledged his selfless actions and granted him their highest honour - The Legion d’ Honneur. The award is the highest French order of merit, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.

James said he was delighted at receiving such an award so many years after having seen active duty in the service of France, and was very humbled to accept it from the from French Consul General, Emmanuel Cocher.