Shropshire war hero reflects on honour

A Shropshire war veteran was reflecting today after receiving France's highest military honour for his bravery in World War Two.

Glynne Medlicott, of Shrewsbury, was one of six veterans to be presented with the Legion d'Honneur yesterday.

More than 1,500 people watched as French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, handed over the medals to the former military men.

Mr Medlicott, 87, as well as fellow British veterans, Alexander Sutton, 86, and Walter Freegard, 94, were honoured at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea for their parts in the Allied invasion of southern France.

Mr Medlicott joins an elite list which includes Shropshire World War One veteran Harry Patch, who received the Legion d'Honneur in March last year.

Mr Patch, who died last July aged 111, spoke of his "great pride" to be given the medal. He was the only surviving soldier to have fought on the Western Front in the war.

Mr Patch, who got married in Hadley, Telford, said at the time: "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France."

Mr Sarkozy was also in London to commemorate the anniversary of the 70 years since General Charles de Gaulle's radio broadcast from the capital urging his nation to resist the Nazi occupation of France. It was a key moment in World War Two.

Prime Minister David Cameron said during one of a series of ceremonies: "Just as our two great countries stood together in the past, so we must stand shoulder to shoulder today. This is not just some ceremonial friendship, it is a working relationship.

"We face huge challenges today - from the conflict in Afghanistan to the economic crisis to climate change - and I am committed to working with President Sarkozy, working with France to tackle them," he said.

Mr Sarkozy, the first French premier to mark the anniversary in London, visited the studio at BBC Broadcasting House where General de Gaulle's original appeal was made on June 18 1940.

The rallying cry came the day after Marshal Philippe Petain's Government announced its surrender to the Germans but few Frenchmen actually heard him declare that "the flame of French resistance must not and will not be extinguished".