VE Day delight as Cornish care home resident is awarded highest French Order of Merit, the Legion of Honour medal

The 75th Anniversary of VE Day saw Cornish care home resident Derek Taylor honoured with France’s highest Order of Merit, the Legion of Honour medal for his part in the Liberation of France in the Second World War.  Ex-Serviceman Derek has now been appointed to the rank of ‘Chevalier’ in the ‘Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur by the President of the Republic of France.

Derek who is 94 years old was astonished by the surprise medal presentation which took place at his care home in East Cornwall on Friday 8th May. Derek was applauded by his fellow care home companions and care workers who witnessed the award ceremony at Torcare residential home in Torpoint. 

Derek was secretly nominated for the award by his nieces Anne Cassidy and Christine Woodward  and their brother Stephen Taylor. The siblings, who applied for the medal last year, are especially close to their uncle who remained unmarried after the war. 

Anne Cassidy said “ It was my sister Christine who led the plan to apply for this honour for our uncle. Derek is a very special person and we are especially proud of his war effort. My uncle was a bricklayer by trade but was very suited to miliary life, he relished the disclipine and comaraderie. He made many lifelong ‘chums’ as he calls them during his time in France and Germany ”

Derek Taylor began his war service in the RAF and trained as a wireless operator but he was subsequently transferred to the Army as a gunner when more soldiers were needed for the Royal Artillery. Derek was sent to France in 1944 and was based just outside Dunkirk where he and his regiment became part of the effort to push back the German Army and to free France.  

In 2014 the French government began to award the Legion of Honour medal in recognition of the brave actions of non- national servicemen which led to the Liberation of France. Freedom came to France on the 8th May 1945 and Derek’s family felt it was suitably fitting for the medal presentation to take place on the 75th anniversary of VE day.

Due to the restrictions of Covid-19 Derek’s insignia was unable to be awarded in person by the French authorities. Torcare’s Manager Sally Green presented the medal to Derek with his nieces and nephew watching the magical moment by Skype. 

The French Ambassador to the UK, Catherine Colonna sent Derek a signed letter personally thanking him and recognising his “Military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France” stating “ As we contemplate this Europe of peace we must never forget the heroes like you who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the Liberation of Europe by Liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication because you were ready to risk your life’

Derek who has also received a letter of congratulations from the British Legion said with typical modesty “This medal is a huge honour, in some ways it was the best days of my life, like many I simply did my bit, I was proud to serve my country ”

Derek continued to celebrate today alongside his fellow Torcare home residents. The residents, who have been isolating from their friends and families during the Coronavirus outbreak, toasted Derek’s honour and commemorated VE day with their own VE Day themed garden party and singalong in the Cornish sunshine.

Derek Taylor received his ‘Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur medal on VE Day,  which was accompanied by a personal letter from the French Ambassador to London Catherine Colonna.