VETERAN of 48 Royal Marines Commando, and former Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary, Captain Hedley Phillips has been awarded France?s highest military award for bravery for his part in the D-Day landings. In a touching ceremony in Saint Aubin Sur Mer, Mr Phillips, 80, was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his heroism during the bloody carnage of history?s biggest military invasion. Admiral Brac de La Perriere awarded Mr Phillips his honour along with officers, non commissioned officers and soldiers of 48 Commando who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, and fought to liberate St Aubin and Langrune.
The mayors of Langrune and St Aubin attended the ceremony, along with a host of other dignitaries. All of them spoke fondly of Mr Phillips, ?full of appreciation for his personality, his ?correctness? yet equally the humour so ?British? of Captain Phillips?. Mr Phillips served with the Royal Marines from 1943 to 1946 before joining Berkshire Constabulary from 1946 to 1964. He then represented Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary from 1964 to 1983, when he retired. Established by Napoleon in May, 1802, the Legion d?honneur is France?s top accolade for an elite group of people who distinguish themselves through civilian or military valour.