IN PICTURES and VIDEO: Bravery of Wolverhampton World War II heroes recognised with Legion D'Honneur

A total of 20 former servicemen from the city and its surrounding areas have been awarded the Legion D'Honneur which was made available to all British veterans who served in France between 1944 and 1945 for the first time in 2014.

Sixteen attended a special ceremony in the Wolverhampton mayor's parlour this week to receive their medals from the Honorary Consul for France, Robert Mille.

The families of four other veterans who had recently passed away or who were otherwise unable to attend were also present to receive the award on their behalf.

Among those in attendance was 92-year-old Geoffrey Ensop, of Finchfield Lane, Merry Hill. The Royal Navy Sub-Lieutenant and Boat Officer described a lucky escape he had soon after his arrival in France.

He said: "I consider June 24, 1944, as my lucky day as I woke up to see HMS Swift sunk and another ship sinking within a few hundred metres of my own.

"This happened after four days worth of storms which we all got through only to have to bring two boats worth of casualties on board the next day.

"I feel very honoured to have received this award at a ceremony like this"

Veterans were welcomed to the event by Mr Mille, Mayor Ian Brookfield and Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Colonel George Marsh TD.

Medals were handed out one-by-one before the room stood for the French and British National Anthems. A minute silence was perfectly observed.

Mr Mille, said: "I am here on behalf of the French people to express our undying and heartfelt thanks in respect to the enormous debt of gratitude we owe you."

Since French President François Hollande announced British Second World War veterans could apply for the Legion D'Honneur in 2014 more than 3,000 servicemen have applied for the medal, including around 100 in the Black Country and Staffordshire

The accolade recognises the acts of heroism displayed by surviving veterans of the Normandy landings and of the wider campaigns to liberate France in 1944.

It cannot be awarded posthumously, but in cases where the application has been fully processed and approved before a veteran dies, the medal will be sent to their family.

Wesley Russell, aged 91, from Goldthorn Park, was another veteran presented with his medal at this week's ceremony. He took part in the D-Day landings as a Leading Supply Assistant in the Royal Navy.

He said: "I am very surprised to receive this award but I am very pleased – and my son will be pleased too as he collects medals and memorabilia.

"It's very important that young people know what happened because they don't teach it much in schools these days and we don't want people to repeat those mistakes which took us to war.

"It was all such a long time ago that my recollection of what happened is all very vague now. All I remember was that it was very noisy."

The sixteen veterans formally awarded with their medals at the ceremony were: William Baron, Leonard Beddow, Christopher Collier, Geoffrey Ensor, Brian Fellows, Albert Gallear, Arthur Jones, Cyril Jones, Albert Mobbs, Ronald Pearce, Wesley Russell, Charles Sharples, Horace Smith, Desmond Spruce, Francis Swann and George Waterford.

Awards were accepted on behalf of Joe Davies, Syd Harthill, John Joyce and William Pope by their relatives.

Colonel George Marsh TD attended the ceremony on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

He said: "It's a privilege and honour to join the veterans on an important day like today.

"They are living witnesses to the history of the liberation of France, and I'd like to thank them for putting their lives on the line for their country, and for their endeavour and bravery, and congratulate them most sincerely on receipt of this award."

Mayor Ian Brookfield said it was the 'most important day' he had had in the role.

He added: "It is truly a great honour to stand in front of these men and thank them for their service.

"I am happy the French government supplied a consul to honour the fine service of these brave men.

"However, it is unfortunate that we have lost some fine men along the way before this service could be held."