COCKLESHELL HEROES, 1942

The tale of the Royal Marines’ raid on the Nazi-held port of Bordeaux in 1942 inspired post-war hit film the Cockleshell Heroes.

Ten men paddled 70 miles up the Gironde Estuary in canvas kayaks.

Only Major Herbert Haslar and Bill Sparks made it but the unit’s mines badly damaged six vessels.

Of the eight other crew, six were shot and two died of hypothermia.

Sparks’ dad was told his son was missing in action and was stunned when he appeared on the doorstep.