A NORMANDY veteran from Great Wishford has been awarded the Legion d'honneur medal for his service during the Second World War.

Bob Shergold was presented with the medal at a special presentation ceremony in The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum in Salisbury on Friday. 

The 93-year-old served with the 5th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment and landed at Arromanches in France during Operation Overlord for the start of the Allied offensive breakout through Normandy. 

Speaking about finding out about the medal honour, Mr Shergold, said: "It was a nice surprise."

He was joined by proud family and friends to celebrate the honour. 

His family said: "We are just very proud of who he is."

Mr Shergold says he will now be getting a new medal ribbon to add the latest edition. 

Bob Shergold joined the army when he was 20 and served with 5th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment which was then part of 129 Infantry Brigade of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, along with the sister Battalion, 4th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment.

Landing at Arromanches on June 18, 1944, the Battalion settled initially at Sommervieu before taking part in its first action at Hill 112 — capturing the small town of Maltot.

Days later, during fierce counter attacks by German forces, Mr Shergold was wounded in the ankle, legs and face, and evacuated back to England in July.

After recovering from his wounds in November 1944, he rejoined his Battalion in Holland. 

After two-months of intensive training and working as a newly appointed battalion sniper, the division was selected to take part in Operation Market Garden, and Mr Shergold's Battalion was part of the Allied offensive advancing Northeast out of Nijmegen towards Arnhem and the Rhine River in February 1945. 

And on March 2, while conducting a reconnaissance patrol with members of B Company, he and his patrol members were captured and taken prisoners of war (POW)near Calcar. 

He remained a POW until released by Canadian Forces at Leuwarden. 

In September 1945 Bob transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corp (RAOC) where he served until being released from the armed services in December 1946.