PRIDE OF HAMPSHIRE – Royal Artillery D-Day veteran Cyril Stotesbury; Legion d’ Honneur.

A LITTLE KNOWN BATTLE, CRUCIAL TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR WAS SECOND WORLD WAR VETERAN’S UNTOLD STORY.

Cyril Stotesbury who has died aged 96 years was awarded France’s highest honour – the Legion d’ Honneur  in recognition of his service in World War 2.

Proud holder of France's highest award Legion d'Honneur

Proud holder of France’s highest award Legion d’Honneur

Mr. Stotesbury served in the Infantry, landing in France on D-Day and eventually reached the notorious concentration camp of Bergen Belsen.

The Legion d' Honneur

The Legion d’ Honneur

Cyril took part in the assault crossing of the River Seine in August 1944, just after D-Day.  He was part of the British 43rd ( Wessex Divison ) in one of the most important actions of World War 2. It has been described as an ‘ epic battle ‘ upon which the success of the war depended.

It is important to capture the moments of those far off days and preserve Cyril’s vivid memories for posterity and plans were made for Cyril to return to France in his 90s so that his vivid memories could be filmed for posterity, but increasing frailty and the passage of time intervened making it impossible.

Cyril was presented with the Legion d’ Honneur medal by Consul Honoraires for the Republic of France, Commandant Francois Jean from Brighton at a ceremony on the Isle of Wight in December 2016.  The presentation was filmed by Steve Feeney.

Presentation of the Legion d' Honneur

Presentation of the Legion d’ Honneur  by Commandant Francois Jean

 

161216 web 1 STEVE FEENEYon location 8968

 Tony Knight photography & MEDIA