100-year-old D-Day veteran John Fiddler has received France’s highest honour in recognition of his role in the liberation of France in 1944.
John, who lives in Cardiff, was presented with his Legion d’Honneur medal by the French Ambassador to the UK, Madame Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, at a ceremony held at HMS Cambria today.
Originally from Edinburgh, John joined the Royal Navy in 1943 aged 18. During Operation Overlord, commonly known as the D-Day landings, he worked as a Leading Supply Assistant on a tank landing ship, (LST) whose role was to transport tanks and supplies across the channel and onto the beaches at Normandy.
John remembers the weather being “a bit rough” and recalls the dreadful noise of battle. John also served on HMS Holmes, a frigate, which was deployed on convoys and anti-submarine patrols in the Atlantic, the English Channel and the North Sea.
One of John’s wartime roles was to plot ships’ coordinates, helping to establish their whereabouts. However, he jokes that this wasn’t his most important task. He says, “My most important job was to issue the rum every day at 11 o’clock in the morning – up spirits!”
Over the last two years, John has joined the Royal British Legion at a number of events, including the commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum for D-Day 80 and VE 80.
The Legion d’Honneur is France’s highest decoration, established by Napoleon in 1802. In 2014 the Government of France decided to recognise all personnel who operated in support of the Normandy landings during June 1944.
“It’s a very proud moment, not just for dad but for all his friends and family. Like so many of his generation, Dad never really spoke about his wartime experiences. We’re very grateful to the French Ambassador, to HMS Cambria, and to the Royal British Legion, for this marvellous celebration.”
Allyson, John Fiddler's daughter
“It is a great honour for me to recognize and express our country’s heartfelt gratitude to a hero who helped liberate France. My country was fortunate to be able to count on the support of its closest partner, the UK, and of the brave British people who fought for our common values: freedom, democracy and peace. This award ceremony is an opportunity to recall the unbreakable friendship between our two nations. Through this award, France wants to honour John Fiddler as the perfect example of an individual who deserves our endless gratitude.”
Madame Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, French Ambassador to the UK
“The Royal British Legion is thrilled that John has received this recognition today of his service protecting our country and liberating our allies in France. It’s been our honour to place veterans like John at the heart of the commemorations of the Second World War anniversaries this year, and we must never forget the service and sacrifice of these veterans to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Ant Metcalfe, Head of Community Engagement at the Royal British Legion
“It is fantastic to see John being recognised with the awarding of the Legion d'Honneur, and that it will be presented to him by the French Ambassador in front of his family and friends at HMS Cambria. Our life today and the freedoms we enjoy are only possible thanks to the sacrifices made by that generation, and so it’s humbling that we have characters like John still living in our region.”
Lt Col Daryll Powell RM, Deputy Naval Regional Commander for Wales, West England and Channel Islands
“As a ‘citizen sailor’, John stepped up to serve his country in a time of great need. Involved in the D-Day landings, delivering tanks and troops to the beaches of Normandy, his presentation today of the Legion d'Honneur – is so well deserved. As a fellow sailor, I am delighted that John is being presented with his medal at HMS Cambria, the only Royal Navy base in Wales and close to John’s home in Cardiff. John embodies our Royal Navy ethos – Lead; Fight; Win. He is an absolute inspiration to the reservist ‘citizen sailors’ of my Ship’s Company, several of whom are here today forming a Guard of Honour.”
Cdr Michael Dalzell, Commanding Officer of HMS Cambria