A DAWLISH D-Day veteran has been awarded France’s top decoration – the Legion d’honneur – in recognition of his service to help liberate the French during the Second World War.

In 2014 on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, France announced it would be awarding the honour to Normandy veterans as a way of thanking them for risking their lives and, since then, more than 5,000 medals have been handed out.

Now 94-year-old Max Summerhayes has received his medal at a presentation held at Dawlish Royal British Legion.

Born in 1923 in Street, Somerset, Max left school at 14 to work in the Clarks shoe factory.

With the outbreak of war, Max found himself in a reserved occupation making submarine parts.

But aged 18 and conscious of others who had joined the forces and wanting to do his bit, he joined up in Bristol.

His initial training was preparing him for the Armoured Division.

Wireless and gunnery courses were followed by experience driving a Sherman tank.

However, he successfully responded to a request for volunteers for the Airborne Division. While his comrades went with the Armoured Division to India, he set off to Hardwick Hall in Chesterfield for physical exercises and speed marching.

Then it was Ringway to practise jumping and Bulford for final preparation.

Take off was from Fairfield early on D-Day.

Pegasus Bridge was already taken but Max was involved in providing protection to the crossing.

Three weeks on and a phosphorous bomb caused him to suffer severe burns to his legs and hands.

Back in the UK following an arduous journey, he was taken to hospital in Durham.

Skin grafts followed with an introduction to embroidery to aid flexibility.

When he finally left hospital, he was downgraded on medical grounds and posted to Catterick.

A placement in Germany was on offer and Max was drafted into the 5th Royal Deskillon to complete the war in the medical section.

After the war Max joined the prison service where he rose to the position of principal officer, ending his career in Winchester in 1980.

Later that year, he and his wife retired to Dawlish, a favourite holiday destination.

Initially a regular at Probus, Max has subsequently lived quietly and privately but still independently with Eileen his wife of almost 70 years.

An RBL spokesman said: ‘Max’s life shares many of the characteristics of others of his generation.

‘He is very proud to receive this award but he knows that he is fortunate.

‘Unlike so many of his comrades he is still here and he can enjoy seeing his great-grandchildren grow up.’