A VETERAN who stormed the Normandy beaches more than 70 years ago has finally been awarded France’s highest honour.

Charlie Hill, 91, was among the Green Howards who landed at Gold Beach on June 6, 1944 just a year after he had been called up at the age of 18.

He was presented with the Legion d’Honneur by the French military attaché, Colonel Antoine de Loustal, at a ceremony in Richmond, in recognition of his contribution to the liberation of France.

Col de Loustal expressed the gratitude of his nation to the men who came to liberate France in 1944.

“This Legion d’Honneur awarded to Charles Hill is not only a thank you to the men who were ready to give their lives to liberate us, it is also a message: we shall not forget, we will never forget,” he said.

Charlie fought alongside the renowned Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis - the Middlebrough man awarded the only D-DayVictoria Cross - in the action to capture the Mont Fleury battery.

Later he received a head wound when he was struck on the helmet by a bullet. He was evacuated to the UK suffering from shock, but soon returned to the fight in North-West Europe, taking part in the crossing of the Rhine just before the end of the war.

It was not until May 1948 that he finally returned home to Sheffield, taking up civilian work in a cutlery factory.

The medal presentation took place in front of his family, friends and fellow Green Howards veterans and afterwards Mr Hill said he felt deeply honoured.

“I felt tremendous pride receiving my French medal in front of my fellow Green Howards, but I did feel embarrassed,” he said.

“I got a lump in my throat as I walked towards Col de Loustal as I thought about all the other men who deserved it, but sadly did not make it home. Luck was on my side so many times.”

He added: “I have often returned to Normandy to appreciate the peace and freedom I helped to bring to France. The death and destruction I saw has had a lasting effect on me, but we had to defeat Hitler and the Nazis.”