D-Day veteran awarded French accolade by Royal Marine

A D Day veteran has been presented with one of the highest military honours in France by a Warrant Officer from 30 Commando IX.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour was presented to former Army Sergeant Donald Edward Robinson, Royal Electrical Mechanic Engineer REME l by WO2 Nigel Roberts.

Present at the ceremony held at Hesslewood House Care Home in Hessle, Hull were the family and friends of the 96-year-old vet.

Donald was among the first of the troops to be landed on Sword Beach, Normandy at 0800hrs on 6th June 1944 as part of 27th Armoured Brigade.After surviving the assault and the rest of the war he has now been awarded the rank of chevalier in the Legion d’Honneur.

“As a close friend of Donald’s grandchildren, I was asked to present this award and, with the permission of the French Embassy, I was honoured to be able to do this” said WO2 Roberts, who is based at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth. “I was humbled to be considered by the family in presenting Donald with his medal.”

The National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 May 1802. The order is the highest decoration in France.

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