A British veteran has been awarded France’s highest honour for his service during World War Two.
Dennis Smith, 98, from Dormanstown on Teesside, was presented with a Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur at his care home in Middlesbrough.
He had joined the Home Guard aged 16, despite the official age requirement being 18. The French embassy said the country “owed their freedom and security” to his “dedication”.
When awarded the insignia, Mr Smith said he was thinking back to being over there and that he was “very proud” to receive it.
The award recognised his “military engagement and steadfast involvement in the liberation of France”, the embassy said.
In a letter informing Mr Smith of the appointment in December 2024, the French ambassador to the UK Hélène Duchêne said: “We must never forget heroes like you.
“We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”
Dennis Smith was presented with the insignia in a ceremony at his Middlesbrough care home [BBC]
Mr Smith was presented the military award at Astune Rise care home by army representatives in a ceremony attended by his family.
He said: “It’s lovely, isn’t it? I’m very proud to receive that.”
Mr Smith was awarded for his involvement in the “liberation of France” [Family handout]
In 1944, Mr Smith joined the Green Howards and was sent to France where he later became part of the Black Watch Regiment.
His service took him through Belgium and the Netherlands and on to Germany, where he was based when the war ended.
Mr Smith later served with the Lincoln Regiment and the Worcester Regiment and took part in peacekeeping operations in Italy before completing his military service in Germany.
After leaving the armed forces he worked as a bus driver and met his wife, Rose, who was a conductor.
He has one son, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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