France awards Scottish war hero its top military honour
Veteran is first in country to receive medal for bravery after D-Day landings
A SCOTTISH war veteran has become the first in the country to receive France’s highest military honour for his heroic actions during the Second World War.
Harold Currie, 91, was given the Legion D’honneur at the City Chambers in Glasgow by French Consul general Emmanuel Cocher.
Mr Currie, who as a director of St Mirren Football Club hired Alex Ferguson as manager, was just 19 when – as part of the Seventh Armoured Division, Country of London Yeomanry – he was deployed in the D-Day landings and went on to fight in the tank battle at Villers-Boucage.
Half of his regiment, including many of his friends, were killed in one day when they were unexpectedly over-powered by German forces and out-gunned in the bloody battle, on June 13 1944.
Mr Currie, of Mauchline, Ayrshire, said: “It is a matter of luck that you come out alive and unscathed. “I remember it all very vividly.” The grandfather of 13, who survived his service without any serious injuries – except from suffering bruised ribs when ammunition fell on his chest during a tank crash which killed his driver and co-driver – is the last living member of his regiment.
After the hard-fought battle the depleted troops continued through France to Belgium and Holland before arriving in Berlin.
Mr Currie said everything that followed the blood-shed at VillersBoucage was “comparatively easy”.
The veteran, who was born in Liverpool, said: “It was exciting. You probably shouldn’t say that about a war but it was.
“Everything is exciting when you are 19.”
The veteran, who had four sons with his wife Barbara, 86, is a former referee and chairman of St Mirren FC.
He is responsible for hiring ManchesterUnitedlegend,Glasgowborn Ferguson as manager of the Paisley club.
Mr Currie said: “[With Ferguson] things changed completely.
“At Love Street we would get 20,000 spectators at home games. Before Alex Ferguson we would get 3,000.”
When Mr Currie left St Mirren he handed over to the vice chairman, Willie Todd. Soon after Ferguson decided to leave and became manager of Aberdeen.
Speaking about his impressions of the young manager, Mr Currie said: “He was good. He was still learning the trade at the time but I think he enjoyed being with St Mirren and with me.”
Mr Currie is also a former director of Chivas Regal and he founded the Isle of Arran distillery in 1994. He continues to trade whisky to this day and works as a business consultant from his home.
Mr Currie is one of nine Scots who risked their lives during the liberation of France who will receive the Légion D’honneur.
The medal was established in 1802 and is France’s highest distinction.
On average, just 10 British nationals receive it every year.