Leslie William Pring – Légion d’Honneur

Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders (51st Highland Division)

Lance Bombardier Les Pring was among the quiet heroes of the D-Day campaign — a man whose bravery and selflessness left an enduring legacy, not only in the lives of those who served beside him but also in the hearts of his family and community.

Les landed in Normandy with the 5th Camerons as part of the 51st (Highland) Division shortly after the initial landings — possibly on June 7, 1944, in or near Sector Mike on the eastern edge of Juno Beach. Though the historical record offers only fragments, the actions he took in the days and months that followed speak clearly of extraordinary courage.

Serving as an Observation Post Assistant (O.P.A.) to the Forward Observation Officer (F.O.O.), Les Pring was instrumental in relaying vital fire orders under some of the harshest battlefield conditions. During the second attack on St. Honorine in June 1944, he remained at his post high in a church tower even as it sustained several direct hits. His composure and determination in relaying critical information under fire contributed directly to the repelling of fierce enemy counterattacks.

In March 1945, as the war edged toward its close but remained as deadly as ever, Les volunteered to carry a wireless set to the front lines after all other communication links had been destroyed. Under relentless machine-gun and mortar fire, he succeeded in restoring essential contact and operated the equipment for several hours unaided. His actions enabled a vital change in operational plans, which may have saved many lives.

Even in the final, agonising stages of the war, Les never faltered. In May 1945, he was seriously wounded in one of the final attacks of the European theatre. Despite his injuries and intense pain, he continued to show the same unflinching courage and cheerfulness that had characterised his service throughout the campaign.

For these remarkable acts of gallantry, Les Pring was awarded the Military Medal, one of Britain’s highest decorations for bravery in battle. His official citation recognised not just isolated heroism, but consistent and selfless devotion to duty in the face of unrelenting danger.