Norman Penny – Légion d’Honneur

Norman was conscripted to serve in the Royal Signals as a Signalman at the age of 18 in 1942.

His unit was attached to the Royal Canadian Air Force and they landed on D Day Plus Four at Gold Beach. Their mission was to create temporary airfields where Spitfires could land and their journey took them North East up into Belgium.

For their personal safety the men of his unit had to dig their own fox holes where they took refuge and slept. They were fortunate to avoid direct conflict with the enemy and they were popular with the the local farmers from the occupied territories who clearly appreciated their presence as on occasion they came and provided them with gifts, including Calvados which became a favourite ’tipple.’

He was delighted to Join the Normandy Veterans Association in his 90’s and was subsequently honoured by the French Republic when he was appointed a Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur.