A SECOND World War hero from Netherton was presented with France’s highest military honour in a special ceremony.

Barry Freeman, aged 91, received the Legion d’Honneur from the Honorary Consul for France Robert Mille during an event held at St Peter’s Garden Centre in Norton.

The presentation was part of a ceremony in which new information boards were unveiled in the village to mark the servicemen who passed through Norton Barracks.

Five themed boards have been installed around the village with the aim of informing and educating people. They cover the themes of battles, soldiers, The Norton Barracks, The Victoria Cross and the Commemorative Garden.

Mr Freeman, who now lives in Stourport, received the prestigious Legion d'Honneur after the Union Jack flags were lifted on the information boards.

He was called up and reported to Norton Barracks on April 1, 1943, where he spent the next six weeks training to be a soldier.

On completion he joined the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and was assigned to the Transport Department, where he underwent a further 10 weeks training. He passed his driving test and was given a licence, which he still uses today.

He was to initially drive a Half Track but the main function was as support vehicle to the forward troops. He landed in Normandy in June 1944.

For periods of the campaign Mr Freeman was also attached to a Canadian Regiment, with whom he went on many missions. After the war had been declared over in May 1945 he was shipped off again, this time as a guard at the Panzer Barracks in the small German city of Hamm.

After his Demob he went back to work in his mother’s shop before taking up a plumbing trade.

After receiving his award, a visibly emotional Mr Freeman said: "I think the honour is beyond my comprehension. The other thing I remember from the war are my comrades who never came home."