Highest honour for Albert...
A SECOND World War veteran who switched from his Army driving job to become a paratrooper with the 6th Airborne division to boost his pay has been presented with France’s highest military honour.
Albert Evans, who initially joined the Royal Army Service Corp (RASC), driving officers and supply vehicles, was presented with the coveted Legion d’Honneur.
The 98-year-old was honoured by the French government for his courage during the Invasion of Normandy, which ultimately led to the liberation of France and downfall of Nazi Germany.
Surrounded by family, friends, veterans and dignitaries, the reluctant hero was presented with the medal by French Honorary Consul Robert Mille during a ceremony at Thorpe House Care Home, in Loughborough, where he now lives.
Commenting on the accolade, Liverpool-born Albert said: “I felt a bit upset to be honest. I’m not sure I’m built for this sort of thing. It’s hard to explain but I’m no hero. So many of my comrades were left behind and I’m still here.
“They are the real heroes, so I’m accepting this honour on behalf of them. I was shaking when the French consul pinned the medal on me.”
He added: “It’s hard to know what to say. I am grateful to everyone involved and it was great to share the occasion with my family.”
Albert met his wife to be, Catherine (Kit) at a dance in Loughborough, where he was stationed, and they married on December 27, 1941.
Two years later in mid-1943, and with their first child on the way, Albert signed up as a volunteer with the 6th Airborne Division, nicknamed the Red Devils, which brought a small pay increase.
He was posted to Salisbury Plain for training at Airborne HQ and then went back to Aldershot.
Albert and Kit’s daughter Carole was born on 19 October 1943.
During parachute training Albert sustained a minor arm injury and transferred to the Glider section of the 6th Airborne.
On D-Day +1 (June 7, 1944) Albert left Dunmow, in Essex, in a wooden Horsa Glider, towed by a Halifax Bomber.
The glider was released and landed in the Ranville/Benouville/Pegasus Bridge area of Normandy.
While in Normandy the vehicle that Albert was travelling in came under fire and he was wounded.
He was evacuated to a hospital in Sheffield for surgery and recuperation.
He later re-joined his unit in the Ardennes and they advanced into Germany and remained in Europe until hostilities ceased.
Albert worked at Brush in Loughborough before working as a lorry driver for Corah’s and later David Wilson Homes.
He was aware he’d been awarded the illustrious medal, after he was put forward for the honour by friend and local historian Dennis Powdrill.
He had no clue, however, about the surprise presentation, which was organised with the help of his granddaughter, Lisa and her mum, Albert’s daughter, Carole.
The ceremonywas also attended by Colonel Robert Martin, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and included a parade of ceremonial standards by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Parachute Association.
Lisa, 48, said: “It’s taken a lot of persuasion to get granddad to accept the medal. He doesn’t see himself as a hero but we are all extremely proud of him.”
Albert’s nephew, Cedric Sloan, who is a retired colonel with the Royal Engineers, paid tribute to his uncle.
He said: “I spent more than 20 years in the military and Uncle Albert was my inspiration.”