James Wade - World War II Veteran

James and Janet Wade have been well-known residents in the village of Shrivenham for many years. Sadly, Janet died in January 2016, so she did not see James receive the honour of the French Legion d'Honneur. In 2014, the French President awarded the Chevalier de Legion d'Honneur to all surviving veterans of the Normandy campaign and subsequent actions that led to the liberation of France in 1944/45.

James, who was wounded in the fighting, was among six surviving veterans from the former Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veterans Association to receive the medal at a ceremony in the Guildhall in Bath at the end of January 2016. The Honourary French Consul, Madame Josette LeBrat, said; "To these men, France owes its liberation. We will never forget their bravery over 70 years ago, which led to freedom and peace in France and across Europe."

Footnote: Sadly, James died on 30 June 2016.