D-Day veteran presented with Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur medal
A D-Day veteran, Mr Charles William (Bill) Sharples has been presented with the Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur medal for his heroic actions during the D-Day campaign of WW2.
The ceremony took place on 10th March at a special ceremony at No 705 Naval Air Squadron, Defence Helicopter Flying School, RAF Shawbury. He was presented with his medal by Captain Adrian Orchard RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Seahawk, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose who made the presentation on behalf of the Naval Service.
The Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon in 1802 as France’s highest award for excellence in civil or military conduct, and was awarded by President Francois Hollande to any veteran who fought on French soil, on the sea or in the sky to mark the 70th anniversary of the ¬Normandy landings.
Bill was born into a military family. His father served as a Sergeant in the Cavalry and Bill was born in Aldershot Barracks and moved around from a young age due to his father’s varied postings. He personally experienced the Blitz whilst living in Dagenham and vividly recalls dashing to air raid shelters to avoid the bombers and the family chickens losing all their feathers from the blasts.
Bill originally joined the Army as a signalman on the 1st April 1943. Upon completion of his training he was told he was being transferred to the Royal Navy in which he served from the 5th October 1943 until 1946. He was posted to the minesweeper HMS Llandudno at the age of 19.
After spending some time clearing mines in British waters, he personally received the message instructing the ship to be ready to depart for France and D-Day. Bill couldn't get this message to the Captain who was enjoying a run ashore, so it was something of a shock to the crew when the tugs turned up to assist their sailing in the early hours of the morning! Bill has many memories of being on one of the first ships to approach the Normandy coast on June 6th, sweeping the shores of Sword Beach for underwater mines.
After the war, and upon leaving the Navy, he met Mavis whom he greatly enjoyed taking to dances. They have 2 daughters, Karen and Louise and have now been married 67 years. He recently celebrated his 91st birthday on the 19th of February.
Lt Cdr Scott Hughes, Commanding Officer 705 Naval Air Squadron said: “It was a great privilege to be able to present Mr Sharples with the Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur medal in recognition of the courageous service he gave during D-Day and throughout the war. It was also very fitting to make the presentation amongst his family, friends, and Navy colleagues.”
Mr Sharples said: “Give a thought to those who did not make it. I was lucky, I came back and I have had a wonderful life. It is so good to see the young people going through their training on 705 Naval Air Squadron and to know that we are in good hands for the future. Thank you for a wonderful day and thank you especially to my granddaughter for arranging it at RAF Shawbury.”
