Rayleigh and Wickford MP and former Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, recently presented Second World War Royal Navy veteran, Mr Les Holyome, with the Legion d’Honneur, on behalf of the French Government.
The award was given to Mr Holyome in recognition of his military involvement with the liberation of France during the Second World War and appoints Mr Holyome as a Chevalier in the Ordre nation de la Legion d’honneur.
Mr Holyome volunteered for naval service at the age of 17. He was sent on three different commando courses before being drafted as an electrician to a Landing Craft Tank (LCT) which was converted to a Rocket ship. As part of the allied invasion of Southern France, the LCT sailed in the early hours of the morning to join a convoy but was attacked on the way by enemy aircraft, during which Mr Holyome received shrapnel wounds in the wrist and knee.
Mark presented Mr Holyome with his award during a ceremony at the Rayleigh branch of the Royal Naval Association, in front of his family, friends and fellow shipmates.
Commenting on the presentation Mark Francois said:
“I was privileged to present Les with the Legion d’Honneur, as awarded to him by the French Government in view of his role in the liberation of Europe. We owe a great debt to this Naval veteran, who fought so we can live in a free country.”