Grant Parrott (left) with Charles Grant
Ferndown Royal British Legion hosted a unique double celebration for long-time member and Royal Navy veteran, Charles Grant, who celebrated his 96th birthday on 14 March.
The week before, Charles received the award of the French Government’s highest decoration for excellence in military service, the Legion d’Honneur, for his part in the D-Day landings in June 1944.
Speaking to a packed audience of Royal British Legion members and guests, chairman Grant Parrott spoke of Charles’ war-time record of serving on Atlantic convoys, the 1942 Pedestal convoy which saved Malta and ultimately the bombardment of the D-Day beaches now being recognised 72 years later.
The citation for Charles’ appointment to the rank of Chevalier (or Knight) of the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur is made for the ‘contribution to the Safety, Growth and Well-being of the French Nation’.
Charles himself said that he was one of many and had accepted his award on behalf of all those who took part and were unable to be here today.
