Photo: Havant MP Alan Mak with Councillor Ken Smith, President of Havant Royal British Legion during Remembrance Sunday 2015
Havant MP Alan Mak has appealed for local World War Two veterans involved in the liberation of France to put themselves forward for an award.
In conjunction with events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the government of France has advised the UK government that it wishes to award the Legion d’Honneur, its top honour, to all surviving veterans.
Mak is calling for local veterans involved in the Normandy landings, or their friends, family and carers, to apply for the award. The Havant MP said he is ready to support any eligible veterans with their applications, especially those suffering from illness or who are especially elderly.
The award is open to veterans of all branches of the Armed Forces. Havant’s Royal British Legion branch is backing Mak's appeal.
Alan Mak MP said, "Many of our local World War Two heroes are now elderly or suffering from ill health, and I want to ensure that their courage and service is recognised before it’s too late. As a longstanding Royal British Legion volunteer, I'm know how important it is to support our local veterans and I'm ready to back applications for the Legion D'Honneur medal from our area. I hope eligible veterans will come forward and apply for the medal they deserve.
Councillor Ken Smith, President of Havant Royal British Legion and a former Royal Air Force officer said, "Britain played a key role in liberating France, and veterans from our area will undoubtedly have been involved given our proud tradition of military service. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen deserve recognition and I hope residents will let Alan know about any eligible veterans."
Mak is a strong supporter of veterans both locally and nationally. He has been a Royal British Legion volunteer for over 15 years and is Founder and President of the Legion's nation-wide young professionals' branch which encourages younger supporters to join the Legion. Mak joined Councillor Smith and civic dignitaries at this year's Havant Remembrance Day March and service.
An application form is available for any veterans, including Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who operated in support of the landings, who have not already received this award from the French government, or have not been identified to take part in award ceremonies during the events in Normandy.
The application form and further details are available by clicking here on the UK Ministry of Defence's website:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/d-day-70-application-form-for-award-of-the-legion-dhonneur