THE FRENCH consul, Ms Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert, will award the country's hishest honour, the Legion d'Honneur, to fourteen North West World War II veterans at a ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on Friday 19 February.
France owes British veterans an eternal debt of gratitude...
On 6 June 2014, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, French President François Hollande announced that all British troops who landed on French beaches, as well as Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who supported operations, were to be recognised for the 'selfless acts of heroism and determination' displayed during the Normandy landings and the wider liberation of France between 1944 and 1945.
The Legion d’Honneur (officially the National Order of the Legion of Honour) was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19th 1802, as a general military and civil order of merit conferred without regard to birth or religion - provided that anyone admitted swears to uphold liberty and equality.
The honour will be bestowed in the Grand Hall at Manchester Town Hall"France owes British veterans an eternal debt of gratitude for their role in the liberation of Europe, which this award can never fully repay," said Honorary Consul of France in Manchester, Mario Prost. "The French Republic thanks them wholeheartedly for their sacrifice and selfless service."
Lord Mayor of Manchester Council Paul Murphy OBE, said: “The heroism and bravery displayed by British troops during World War II is unprecedented in modern history and it will be a privilege to meet these courageous men – who are owed so much by so many.
“This award is resoundingly deserved and I would like to join France in recognising the magnitude of these local men’s actions in the face of the most testing and harrowing of times.”
Legion d’Honneur will be bestowed upon North West veterans at 11am, on Friday 19 February in the Great Hall of Manchester Town Hall.
