A FORMER navy able seaman has been honoured with the Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur award for all his efforts during the Second World War.

Les Hutchings received the award by post in the last fortnight after he was forced to miss an official presentation in Bath when he fell ill with shingles.

“I found out some time ago through the White Ensign Association and it was Graham Payne who found out because as the secretary, he got notified about the award and so he put a list of names forward of people he thought was eligible and my name was there,” Mr Hutchings, of Lambrok Road said.

After signing up in 1942 when he was just 15 year’s old, Mr Hutchings embarked on a near two-decade serving with the navy including on board the Nelson Battleship which helped in the Normandy Landings.

The 89-year-old added: “During that time, where we were, there was a big bay and it was in that the invasion took place.

“We did get one or two scares but it was part of everyday life at the time.

“We were just young boys at the time so it was daunting but being 17, at that age it didn’t worry us too much.

“I went all over the place during my time and I think Australia was somewhere that stood out for me.”

In 2014, the French President awarded the Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur to all surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign and subsequent actions that led to the liberation of France in 1944/45.

After leaving the navy, Mr Hutchings, who has been a member of the White Ensign Association since 1988, worked numerous jobs but eventually moved to Bradford on Avon in 1964.

It was 13 years ago that he settled in Trowbridge with his wife Maureen.