Tributes have been paid to Dorset war hero Dennis 'Roy' Cooper, who has passed away aged 102.

Roy, who was awarded the Légion d'honneur earlier this year for his services during D-Day, enlisted in the Royal Navy on October 29, 1940.

During the Second World War he served for three years on HMS King George V before moving onto minesweepers.

One of his many roles in 1944 was escorting the two mulberry harbours to Normandy, where they were positioned on Sword and Omaha beaches.

From June 5, 1944, Roy was engaged in mine sweeping from Sword Beach to Cherbourg off the Cotentin peninsular.

In addition to the Second World War's Operation Overlord, Roy was engaged in the Mediterranean during the invasion of Italy bringing down naval gunfire on the beach heads and in Africa where he was escorting US troops.

Speaking at a ceremony at Blandford Camp in February, when Roy was awarded his Légion d'honneur, he said: "We are all here today because of the sacrifices made in those dark days.

"I lost many friends who I will never forget. It is important that these events are never forgotten."

This ceremony was organised by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The charity, which paid its final respects to Roy, also supported him when he needed assistance caring for his wife and the development of his garden.

Roy was also awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star with Atlantic Bar, Defence Medal and the Victory Medal.

On his passing, Admiral Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said: "Roy was typical of the amazing generation that enabled us to win the war and defeat Hitler.

"He was a brave man who did his duty serving with distinction.

"It was a privilege and a pleasure to have met him."

After the war Roy began a career in the motor industry. He retired to Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton, where he lived up until his death.