Worksop: British D-Day veteran receives Légion d’honneur award

A Worksop veteran has received France’s highest honour for his involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.
Robert Parnell, of Chesterton Drive, Worksop has been awarded with the Liberation of France medal for his services in World War Two, with his wife Dorothy. Picture: Andrew RoeRobert Parnell, of Chesterton Drive, Worksop has been awarded with the Liberation of France medal for his services in World War Two, with his wife Dorothy. Picture: Andrew Roe
Robert Parnell, of Chesterton Drive, Worksop has been awarded with the Liberation of France medal for his services in World War Two, with his wife Dorothy. Picture: Andrew Roe

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.

“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.”

It 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.”

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