A WORLD War Two soldier was presented with an award for his part in the liberation of France.

The Chipping Norton branch of The Royal British Legion held a reception at the Crown and Cushion Hotel to present Reg Williams with the Legion d' Honneur, awarded to him by the French for his part in the liberation of France.

Mr Williams' wife Ruth was invited as well as members of their family in addition to Lynda Atkins RBL Oxfordshire county chairman and deputy mayor Don Davidson.

Lance Corporal Williams of the 2nd Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment landed on Gold beach on June 6 1944, D-Day.

They fought their way off the beach and took the town of Bayeux the following day.

Mr Williams was wounded in the Battle of the Falaise Pocket in August 1944 and evacuated back to England and hospitalised for 4 months.

When he recovered he was sent to Vienna with the Allied commission in Austria.

Branch president Linda Maia e Silva welcomed guests before chairman Steve Kingsford recited the Ode for the Fallen and the reverend Victor Sturdy paid tribute to the work of the legion.

The chairman paid tribute to Mr Williams, recalling his service in the Battle of Normandy and reading letters from the Duke of Kent, Queens Colonel to the 1st Battalion, The Rifles which absorbed the Gloucesters a few years ago, and from local MP, Mr Robert Courts.

He then asked Mr David Astor, deputy lord lieutenant of Oxfordshire to present Mr Williams his medal, which the branch had had court mounted. Flowers were presented to Mrs Ruth Williams and souvenir "Ted Devils" parachutist Teddy Bears were given to his three great grandchildren.

Steve Kingsford, Chipping Norton Branch chairman said: “Ruth contacted us to ask about getting Reg’s medal mounted.

"When we heard he was unable to attend the official reception, we were more than happy to organise an event.

"We were delighted with the evening and we had a good turnout, it was especially moving that Reg’s family travelled to be with him. We are honoured and privileged to have Reg as a member and to have hosted the occasion.”