A VETERAN has been awarded the Légion d’honneur award for his services during D-Day.

Dennis Roy Cooper, aged 102, was awarded the medal at Blandford Camp.

He was awarded with the Legion d’honneur back in December, but SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity organised an official ceremony to celebrate Dennis and his service in the Forces.

Amongst the attendees were Admiral The Lord West of Spithead a former First Sea Lord, The Lord Lieutenant for Dorset Mr Angus Campbell, SSAFA representatives including Nicholas Bate Dennis’s Case Worker and Service personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Signals. The medal was presented by Colonel Franco of the French Army.

The charity also supported Dennis when he needed assistance with caring for his wife and the development of his garden.

Dennis was enlisted into the Royal Navy on October 29 1940 from his hometown of Portsmouth, where he served three years on HMS King George V and then on minesweepers.

One 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, Dennis was engaged in mine sweeping from Sword Beach to Cherbourg off the Cotentin peninsula. Dennis was also 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.

Dennis retired from the Navy at the end of the war and began a career in the motor industry. He retired to Marnhull, where he has lived for thirty-two years with his wife Mary, a retired headmistress.

Mr Cooper said: “It was initially a bit of a surprise when I found out about the award, but the job we did was very important and incredibly risky. 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.”

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the forces, and their families. This includes both regulars and reserves.

Dennis has previously been awarded the following medals:

• 1939-1945 Star

• Africa Star

• Italy Star

• France and Germany Star with Atlantic Bar

• Defence Medal

• Victory Medal