A FORMER soldier living in Wrexham has been awarded with the Medal of Honour for his service during World War II.

Charles John Mellish, 95, from Chirk, received the honour on Wednesday, July 24, through the post and was not aware he was going to receive it.

Mr Mellish served in the army between 1941 and 1945 during the war and even fought during the Normandy Landings, commonly referred to as D-Day, in June 1944.

Speaking to The Leader, he described his experience of that day.

The Leader:

Charles John Mellish with his Medal of Honour and a photograph of him in uniform with his family

He said: “As soon as the invasion was on we were straight off, the first wave were sent in, I went in as part of the second wave, and they dropped us in the sea, the barges were coming back and forth, and we had to make it to the land first of all.

“I had a job then to collect any kit that was dropped by fellow soldiers and get it up to the trucks, and then that was it, we went for cover.

“I was given instructions to go forward, and go forward we did, but I actually wasn’t even carrying a rifle, all I had on me was grenades.

“Many of my officers and fellow soldiers were injured and lost that day, I crawled along trenches had been created by tanks and wagons across the battlefield.

“At times I was so scared that I dare not move, and I would just lay there in the trenches.

“They’re memories that stay with you forever, you never forget them.”

Mr Mellish received a letter from the ambassador of France to the United Kingdom, Jean-Pierre Jouyet explaining that the President of the Republic had appointed him to the rank of Chevalier in the Legion d’Honneur, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The letter also read: “As we contemplate this Europe of peace, we must never forget heroes like you who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France.”

Mr Mellish went on to say that while he is grateful to receive such an honour, it makes him remember those that weren’t so fortunate during the war.

He added: “I’m proud and it’s nice to be recognised for my service, but this medal makes you think about those that didn’t come home with you. People that you knew, people you grew close with, mates, I lost a lot of them.

“The main thing I’m proud of is still being alive today, having gone through all of that and still be here to talk about it.”