D-Day Brit honoured by France dies aged 98

TRIP Alan in Normandy A BRITISH D-Day veteran who was awarded France’s highest military honour has died at the age of 98.

Alan Barnes served in Africa, Italy and France and last year received the Legion d’Honneur from the French. The ex-Army major had returned to Normandy for the 60th anniversary, in 2004.

His son Ian, 68, said: “What was most memorable was walking with him along the beaches, resplendent in his beret and proudly wearing his medals, crowds of French people cheering and applauding. It made us realise the contribution he’d made.”

The dad of two served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Ian said: “He was put in charge of waterproofing all the vehicles taken over to France for the D-Day landings. He arrived D-Day plus 2.” After the war, Mr Barnes ran the family garage business.

The great-grandfather died at his home near St Helier, Jersey, at the end of last month. His funeral is due to take place next week.