Shropshire-born D-Day veteran is awarded top French honour

Pat Thomas, who grew up in Shrewsbury, received the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) at the rank of Knight (Chevalier) at a ceremony in Eastbourne, where he now lives, from Consul Honoraire de France, Captain François Jean.

Aged 19, Pat was on-board the landing craft LCH185 during the D-Day landings on June 6 ,1944, putting commandos ashore at Sword Beach.

The vessel remained off-shore despite being under constant attack, playing a key role in the invasion.

Pat, who was injured, was one of only a few survivors when the landing craft was sunk on June 25, 1944 after being struck by a mine.

Pat's two brothers, Fred and Stan, also served in the armed forces during the war, with all three brothers returning safely to Shropshire afterwards, where members of the family still live.

Pat, 90, said: "I am not a brave man or a hero. Many thousands returning from the war had their own tales, including my elder brother, Fred, who as a commando fought with Albanian partisans, and my younger brother, Stan, who as a tank driver was injured twice.

"June 25, 1944 is a day I will never forget. My shipmates on LCH185 are always in my thoughts and so it is with honour and pride that I feel able to accept this insignia on their behalf."

Pat was hospitalised and on recovery he joined the submarines where he served on HM/ SM Thule in the Far East against Japan.

His older brother Fred, who lived in Bayston Hill until his death earlier this year, was in No.2 commandos, working behind enemy lines in Albania and Italy. His younger brother, Stan, who lived in Telford and later Oswestry, was a tank driver in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, landing at Gold Beach and fighting through France, Holland and Germany.