Royal Navy veteran from Portsmouth, 102, awarded Legion D'honneur for D-Day service

Dennis Cooper was 23 when he enlisted in the Royal Navy from the city, his hometown, in October 1940.

In 1944 he was serving as a sub Lieutenant and helped escort the two mulberry harbours to Normandy.

From June 5, he was engaged in mine sweeping from Sword Beach to Cherbourg off the Cotentin peninsular.

Mr Cooper was presented with the Legion D'honneur, the highest French decoration, during a ceremony at Blandford Camp in Dorset.

The ceremony was arranged by armed forces charity SSAFA to celebrate Mr Cooper and his service.

He said: ‘It was initially a bit of a surprise when I found out about the award, but the job we did was very important and incredibly risky.

‘We are all here today because of the sacrifices made in those dark days. I lost many friends who I will never forget.

‘It is important that these events are never forgotten.’

Mr Cooper served for three years on HMS King George V after enlisting into the Royal Navy, before working on minesweepers.

In addition to Operation Overlord, he was engaged in the Mediterranean during the invasion of Italy and also in Africa, where he escorted US troops.

The veteran has previously been awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star with Atlantic Bar, Defence Medal and the Victory Medal.

After the war, he left the navy and began a career in the motor industry, before retiring to Marnhull in Dorset.

He has lived there for the past 32 years with his wife, Mary, a retired headteacher.

Late Portsmouth legend, John Jenkins, was also awarded the Legion D’honneur for his heroics on the beaches of Normandy.

He served as a Platoon Sergeant in the Pioneer Corps and was responsible for moving ammo at Arromanches.

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John was among the Second World War veterans celebrated at the D-Day 75 commemorations on Southsea Common last summer.

He was given a standing ovation by the Queen and other heads of state, including US president Donald Trump, after recalling his D-Day story on stage.

Mr Jenkins, also an avid Pompey fan, died aged 100 on December 16, 2019.