Worksop: British D-Day veteran receives Légion d’honneur award
Robert Parnell, 91, received a letter from the Ambassade De France in September, informing him that he had been appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Légion d’honneur.
The veteran, who was a corporal of the 6th (Airborne) Divisional Ordnance Field Park, was commended for his bravery after risking his life in the D-Day landings of June 1944.
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Hide Ad“We must never forget heroes like you, who came to Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France,” the letter reads.
“We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”
Mr Parnell, of Chesterton Drive, said: “I do feel honoured, but I have been reluctant to have any publicity because it’s not something I feel I should be proud of.”
“It’s all to do with the war which was horrible and not something I really enjoy talking about.”
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Hide AdIt was Robert’s wife, Dorothy Parnell, 92, who contacted the Guardian with news of her husband’s great acheivement. Dorothy met Robert while she also in the army- the couple have been together for 68 years.
Dorothy said: “We are all very proud of him. We couldn’t believe it when we got the letter.”