John receives award for D-Day efforts

A 90-year-old veteran was rewarded for his role in the liberation of France when he received the Legion d'Honneur.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jul 2016, 09:00 BST

John Sneddon of Falkirk was one of five men collecting France’s highest military honour at a ceremony in Paisley last Wednesday.

On the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, the French President announced it would be awarded to all British veterans who fought to liberate France during the Second World War.

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The Consul General de France, Emmanuel Cocher, presented the medals at a civic reception.

John was an able seaman on board destroyer HMS Swift from in the Arctic convoys of World War Two. After surviving those dangers, HMS Swift herself fell victim to a mine off the coast of Normandy on June 24, 1944, while supporting the D-Day landings, plunging John and his shipmates into the sea.

The Consul General said: “France will never forget the gallantry and bravery veterans showed in taking part in the liberation of France 70 years ago.

Related topics:Falkirk