D-Day hero Victor receives France’s highest decoration

A WAR veteran involved in the Normandy landings has finally received France’s highest decoration 73 years on from D-Day.
MP John Healey was at Cambron House at Bramley recently to present resident Victor Williams with the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, awarded in recognition of his service in the military and his involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War. 171801-1MP John Healey was at Cambron House at Bramley recently to present resident Victor Williams with the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, awarded in recognition of his service in the military and his involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War. 171801-1
MP John Healey was at Cambron House at Bramley recently to present resident Victor Williams with the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, awarded in recognition of his service in the military and his involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War. 171801-1

Victor Williams (92) was just 19 when he landed on a beach near Arromanches on the morning of June 6, 1944.

This week, he was presented with the Legion d’Honneur by Wentworth and Dearne MP, John Healey, who also helped ensure he received the honour by contacting government ministers to chase up the application.

Mr Healey said: “It was a pleasure and privilege to meet Vic, and I’m glad I was able to help speed up the process. 

“He and other British Normandy veterans fully deserve to receive this decoration.”

Mr Williams, who lives at Cambron House, Flanderwell Lane, was a private in the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry for three years. 

As well as being involved in the Normandy landings, he fought in Bayeux, Tillè, Caen and Saint-Lô, where he was wounded. 

After his recovery he joined the military police and returned to Rotherham to live at Herringthorpe. 

He went on to work for British Gas and in engineering before joining Bricknells estate agents.