A 94-year-old veteran has been presented witt France’s highest Order of Merit for his part in the Liberation of France during the Second World War.

Derek Taylor said he was ’astonished’ to receive the Legion of Honour medal on the anniversary of VE Day, after his relatives secretly applied to the French authorities on his behalf.

Derek, who is a resident at the Torcare care home in Torpoint, began his war service in the RAF and trained as a wireless operator. Later he was transferred to the Army as a gunner, when more soldiers were needed for the Royal Artillery. Derek was sent to France in 1944 and was based just outside Dunkirk, where he and his regiment became part of the effort to push back the German Army and to free France. 

The application for Derek’s Legion D’Honneur was made by his nieces Anne Cassidy and Christine Woodward  and their brother Stephen Taylor. The siblings, who applied for the medal last year, are especially close to their uncle who remained unmarried after the war.

’Derek is a very special person and we are especially proud of his war effort,’ said Anne.

’My uncle was a bricklayer by trade but was very suited to military life. He relished the disclipine and comaraderie. He made many lifelong ‘chums’ as he calls them during his time in France and Germany’

In 2014 the French government began to award the Legion of Honour medal in recognition of the brave actions of non- national servicemen which led to the Liberation of France. Freedom came to France on the 8th May 1945 and Derek’s family felt it was suitably fitting for the medal presentation to take place on the 75th anniversary of VE day.

Due to the restrictions of Covid-19 Derek’s insignia was unable to be awarded in person by the French authorities. Torcare’s Manager Sally Green presented the medal to Derek with his nieces and nephew watching the magical moment by Skype.

The French Ambassador to the UK, Catherine Colonna sent Derek a signed letter personally thanking him for his contributions.

It reads: ’’As we contemplate this Europe of peace we must never forget the heroes like you who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the Liberation of Europe by Liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication because you were ready to risk your life.’

With typical modesty Derek responded to his recognition by saying: ’This medal is a huge honour, in some ways it was the best days of my life, like many I simply did my bit, I was proud to serve my country.’