A 94-YEAR-OLD D-Day veteran has received France’s highest decoration for role in liberating the country during the Second World War.

Shipmate Fred Garner, of Davyhulme, has been awarded presented the Legion of Honour medal.

Joined by family, friends and fellow shipmates, Shipmate Garner said he felt proud, yet humbled to receive the medal.

He said: “I was a veteran of the D-Day campaign, patrolling the English Channel on HMS Pursuer to stop any German U-Boat attacks and also providing air support for our invading fleets. I feel highly honoured to receive the insignia Legion d'Honneur for my involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War."

Shipmate Garner and his late wife Rita had two children, Pam and Colin, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

His family watched as Trafford Mayor Judith Lloyd presented him with the medal at a ceremony at Trafford Town Hall earlier this month.

Also present were members of Trafford Royal Naval Association and the Greater Manchester Fleet Air Arm Association.

Shipmate Garner's illustrious naval career began when he joined the Royal Navy in 1941, aboard HMS Raleigh. He then entered the Royal Naval Engineering School on HMS President, before being transferred to the Fleet Air Arm Branch of the Royal Navy.

After serving on-board HMS Blackcap and at RAF Wroughton in Wiltshire, he went to sea on escort carrier HMS Pursuer, as part of 896 Squadron.

He was awarded the Ushakov medal from the Russian Government after taking part in the Atlantic Convoys.

His wartime service also saw him take part in the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz in northern Norway, the invasion of Sicily, southern France and the D-Day Landings. It was for this service that the French government awarded him the Legion of Honour.

Later Shipmate Garner served on HMS Malagas in South Africa, before returning to the UK, where he was stationed in Fife on HMS Daedalus. He was discharged from the Royal Navy in 1946.

Shipmate Garner is a founder member of the Trafford branch of the Royal Naval Association and in 2013 became its president and father.

He is also a founder member of the Greater Manchester Fleet Air Arm Association.