France's Highest Honour Awarded to Survivors of Normandy Battle

SEVENTY-ONE years ago on June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed on the Normandy coast on what would become known worldwide as D-Day.

The liberation of Europe was accomplished at great cost to human life and injury to combatants and civilians.

Normandy veteran Robert Tweed (91) said it was unbelievable that June 6, 2015 passed by recently without one mention of the huge army that, against all odds, carried out a landing of thousands of troops in a matter of hours without the aid of a port or landing facility.

A ceremony was held on June 10 at Anzac House in Perth where 10 D-Day veterans were awarded France’s highest honour – the French Legion of Honour – by Ambassador of France to Australia, Christophe Lecourtier, for their service and sacrifice during World War II.

As well as Mr Tweed, the recipients included Gosnells resident Eric Nye, Kenneth Robinson of Bentley, Arthur Anderson, Thomas Aubrey, Alan Forbes, Francis Hall, Rodney Harrison, Peter Munro and Wilbur Towler.

Mr Tweed said the French Ambassador pinned the Legion of Honour medal to each recipient’s jacket, shook their hand and embraced them in French tradition.

“For myself, the euphoria and joy of receiving such a high award was tempered by memories of a return visit to the 65th anniversary to Normandy and the services of remembrance at each cemetery,” he said.