D-Day veteran honoured

A D-Day veteran has been recognised for his bravery after receiving a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.
96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.
96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.

Leslie Bartram, 96, served in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

And he was part of the 3rd British Infantry Division who landed on Sword Beach, which was one of the five main landing areas along the Normandy coast.

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Mr Bartram and the troops fought their way to Caen, which was a focal point for a series of battles in the Second War World.

96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.
96-year-old Leslie Bartran has received a Legion of Honour medal from the French government.

But he suffered a serious head injury after a shell exploded on July 8, 1944.

Mr Bartram returned to England where he received treatment in Basingstoke.

His daughter Maureen Smith, of Wrenthorpe, said: “We are very proud my dad has been recognised for his service.

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“It was a lovely moment for the family to see it come through the post.”

After the war, Mr Bartram trained as a motor mechanic. He later worked at British Ropes Limited in Wakefield.

Mrs Smith applied for the award - named the Legion d’Honneur - on her dad’s behalf after seeing other D-Day veterans receive their medals.

Mr Bartram, of Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, received his medal last Friday.

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His daughter said: “Growing up he told us a lot about how he got wounded in Caen.

“He told us about training up in Scotland and when he did guard duty on the coast.

“He was very lucky to have survived and he has got part of his skull missing at the top from the impact.”

Mrs Smith said she has been sending pictures of Mr Bartram with the medal to relatives.

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