A 95-year-old Second World War veteran from Northwich was among nine former servicemen awarded France’s highest honour, the Légion d’honneur, at the University of Chester’s Queen’s Park campus.

The site was the Western Command Headquarters of the Army during the war .

All of the men, who are from the North West, North Wales, and Shropshire, were awarded for their part in liberating France.

William Palin an alumnus of the former Chester Teacher Training College. He was a troop commander with the 21st Anti-Tank Regiment in the Guards Armoured Division. He served through France to Holland on Operation Goodwood (in Normandy) and Market Garden (In Holland).

He said: “We were the break-out troops and our role was to make our way inland. This award reminds me really of all the splendid fellows who didn’t come back. I had troops of 20 men in the fighting tanks, and of those 20, seven had been killed and one wounded before we got out of Normandy. For me, this is in recognition of the lives they gave.”

Patrick Connor, from Ellesmere Port, was another to receive the Order–Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur.

Cecil Stuart Turner, 93, from Wrexham was a warrant officer with the Royal Air Force.

At the time, he was stationed at Chivenor doing 10 hour box patrols to prevent U-boats from the Baltic proceeding to the Channel.

He then went on to escort convoys in the Atlantic bringing vital supplies needed to back up the Normandy landings.

He said: “This is a milestone in my life. I’m a better person for having been in the forces and I’m very grateful to have this award.”

Thomas Gerald Norris, 90, from Market Drayton, described how he was one of the first to land on Gold Beach on D-Day.

He said: “We were the first lot off. I was the driver gunner on tank destroyers. It means a lot to me to receive this award.”

Seated left to right are John Goronwy Roberts, Patrick Connor, Cecil Turner, William Palin. Standing are Mayor of Wirral councillor Les Rowlands, Yvan Besnard, Denis Rose, John Sanders, Gerry (Gerald) Norris, Emyr Thomas, Charles Barclay and French Honorary Consul Aude Auclair

The ceremony was organised by French honorary consul Aude Auclair, and took place in the De Gaulle Brasserie, in Churchill House, the site of secret meetings between Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower and General De Gaulle during the war.

Also in attendance was the Mayor of Wirral Les Rowlands.

Mme Auclair said: “It has been an absolute honour to represent the French Government and to recognise the selfless acts displayed by these brave men. This medal is in recognition of their involvement in the liberation of France – the people of France owe our freedom to their dedication.”

British veterans honoured at historic World War Two site in Chester

The full list of those who are now Chevaliers (Knights) of the Légion d’honneur following the ceremony in Chester are:

Thomas Gerald Norris from Market Drayton, Shropshire.

John Dudley Sanders from Meols, Wirral.

Cecil Stuart Turner from Wrexham.

John Goronwy Roberts from Froncysyllte near Llangollen.

Charles Eric Barclay from Whittington, Oswestry, Shropshire.

William Palin from Northwich, Cheshire.

Emyr Thomas from Prestatyn.

Denis SA Rose from West Kirby, Wirral.