Veterans’ bravery recognised

before they dropped “the bomb” and ended it.

“I was only 19 on D-Day and with that young age came a certain amount of bravery.”

His wife Ann kept her role at Bletchley Park a secret from her husband for 30 years.

“I took signing the Official Secrets Act very seriously,” she said. “When we talked about the war I just said I had served time in the Foreign Office.

“It wasn’t tricky keeping it a secret – in our young married life we talked more about the future than the past.” William Hannah, 98, was shot shortly after D-Day – but hasn’t been to hospital since!

“It’s great to be here with my family to see this,” he said after yesterday’s ceremony, which was officiated over by Emmanuel Cocher, Consul General of France, at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

“I got called up at the very start – 1939. I was the only Scot in my regiment and went all over Europe fighting in Norway and Iceland before France.

“I lost a lot of friends who should be here today.

“I was wounded on Juno beach on day four when I was shot in my left foot.

“I was taken to hospital to be treated – that’s the last time I was ever in hospital!”

It was announced on the 70th anniversary of D-Day that the Legion d’Honneur would be awarded to all veterans who took part in the invasion.