A WAR veteran currently residing in a Wroughton care home has been awarded the Legion d’honneur at the grand old age of 93.

Brendan Carroll, who in 1944 landed on the Normandy beaches with the British Expeditionary Force, was presented with the prestigious medal at Ladymead Care Home on Sunday afternoon.

Members of his family were in attendance and a proud Brendan, who was born in Bootle near Liverpool, was honoured to receive the award.

He said: “It’s very nice to get something from the French side. I’m very proud – it is much appreciated.”

Asked what he could remember about that perilous push through Western Europe in 1944 as the Allies closed in on Hitler’s shattered troops, Brendan said: “We just gritted our teeth and got on with it. We didn’t really think about it too much, we just pressed on regardless.”

The Legion d’honneur was established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. It is France’s highest distinction and is awarded in recognition of both military and civilian merit.

It has been awarded to D-Day veterans from many different countries for several years as a way of recognising the sacrifices made by soldiers in securing France’s liberation from Nazi Germany.

On average, only 10 Britons receive the medal each year.

Long-time friend of Brendan’s Mark Kiamtia said: “I am very proud of him. I have heard his stories many times and I am very surprised the he hasn’t received the medal before now. When he told me all about his involvement in the war I felt very humbled.”

Brendan described his participation in the Second World War as “very busy”. He arrived on the Normandy beaches the day after D-Day.

He said: “I was quite lucky in that respect because it meant I didn’t have to walk straight into the line of fire. I remember the ship being unable to get in close, so we had to wade through the water waist deep.”

Brendan, who was a young man of 19 when he first joined the army, has served all over the world, from Northern Ireland to Palestine.

He lost his wife Pat in 2011 and the couple had three daughters – Moira, Fiona and Imelda – and a son called Peter, who sadly died 14 years ago.

He has lived at Ladymead for the past 18 months and says he is extremely happy at the home.

Daughter Imelda Havers said: “I can’t quite describe just how proud I am. He is a wonderful man, a wonderful father and it’s fantastic to see him awarded this medal.”