A SECOND World War veteran who was wounded on D-Day has been awarded the highest honour from the French government.

Thomas Hurley, now aged 95, has been appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur by the President of the Republic in recognition of his military service and involvement in the liberation of France.

The award was presented to Mr Hurley, who lives with his granddaughter in Hill View Road, Rayleigh, by Rayleigh MP Mark Francois during a special ceremony hosted by the Royal Naval Association, in nearby London Hill.

Mr Francois said: “Thomas Hurley helped to pilot a landing craft on D-Day transferring American soldiers from their assault ship to Omaha Beach.

“Thomas Hurley was wounded in action that day helping to participate in the liberation of Europe from Nazi Tyranny and his actions have now been commemorated accordingly.

“I was honoured to present the award to Thomas on behalf of the French Government as it is only because of people like him that we live in a free country today.”

Mr Hurley’s proud granddaughter, Marcia Delve, 37, said: “It was an emotional day and we are all extremely proud of him.

“It’s amazing to know that he is part of our family and his efforts helped get us where we are today.

“It affected him quite badly so he’s always very quiet but through research over the past few weeks we’ve got to find out so much about him and it’s been really nice.”

Mr Hurley joined the Royal Naval Patrol Service in 1941, aged 18.

He had a month of training before boarding a minesweeper, sweeping the English Channel for explosives.

Towards the end of 1942, he was drafted into Combined Operations, which involved working on landing crafts. He trained in the English Channel before heading over to Omaha Beach, in Normandy.

On D-Day, Mr Hurley was on a landing craft with four crew members and an officer, transporting American troops from their boat to the beach.

After a few trips, a shell hit the craft and the blast propelled Mr Hurley back - slamming him into the bulkhead and injuring his back. Years later, doctors removed shrapnel after it caused an infection.

The six men managed to get to a medical tent on the beach before joining other troops inland.

Mr Hurley was shipped out and returned to his former home in Leigh on a land ship tank. A month later he was drafted to Portsmouth, where he applied to return to the Royal Naval Patrol Service.

Due to post-traumatic stress, he was forced to leave his job as a lighterman in 1946. He instead joined the Royal Mail where he worked until he retired, aged 65.

Of his time in the war, he said: “The flashbacks still remain today of of all the things that happened during my time there.”