THE heroism of a soldier badly injured during the Normandy landings has been recognised by the French Government.

World War Two veteran Ernie Dunn, 92, of Bridgecote Lane, Noak Bridge, received the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest accolade.

It was awarded for bravery and gallantry shown during an attack on his tank in Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in August 1944, while his squadron was protecting a nearby village named Authevernes.

The blast killed the tank’s commander and gunner.

A 21-year-old Ernie, the wireless operator, was severely wounded, but was rescued from inside the burning tank.

Ernie was sent to the UK for six months of recovery before rejoining his regiment until the war’s end.

He said: “I’m proud to receive the award, and the memories have remained with me for a long time.

“It was a desperate time, and I am pleased we’ve been recognised.”

Ernie was an engineer in Richmond, Surrey, before he headed to France in July, 1944.

Six weeks of training in Bovington, Dorset, was all he had to prepare for Normandy.

Ernie said: “I had been desperate to sign up earlier in the war, but my employers wouldn’t let me join.

“This was because I was in a reserved occupation.

“I completed my training and went out there with my regiment, the 13th/18th Royal Hussars.”

In recognition of his, and other surviving Commonwealth veterans’ efforts during the Normandy landings, each has been awarded the accolade.

The accompanying letter, sent from French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann, said: “I have pleasure of informing you that the President of the Republic has appointed you to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur.... we owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”

Ermie remained with his regiment until 1947, when he returned home and continued work as an engineer. He met and married his late wife, Lil, before moving to Basildon in 1955.

Ernie is still very much an independent man, who remains busy tracing his family’s ancestry online. However, he can still call on the support of his two daughters, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, when needed.

 

 

We’re so proud of dad – now we’ll have a party

ERNIE’S daughter spoke of her family’s immense pride in his award.

Pat Wadsworth, 62, of Fore Street, Noak Bridge, said her dad didn’t want a lot of fuss.

She said: “He preferred just to have the award sent in the post, rather than to receive it at a ceremony.

“It sums him up really. He’s a very kind gentleman. We’re very proud of him and it’s wonderful that his. and other veterans’, efforts have been recognised. We’ll be throwing a family party to celebrate.”

Mrs Wadsworth added that for many years her dad had been reluctant to talk about his experience.

However, a ceremony in Authevernes to mark his regiment’s efforts made him change his mind.

She said: “In 1994, he was awarded the freedom of the village he was protecting, and we noticed a change after that.

“We all went there as a family, and people were shaking his hand and thanking him for his work, which was wonderful to see.”

“From there, my dad started opening up and telling us more about what happened there.”