​Half a century after being dropped behind enemy lines on D-Day, Seymour Wilcox can finally go on parade wearing his medals.

The 92-year-old war hero was commended for his role in the invasion of Normandy, but never received his military honours.

After being shot in the face during the operation, he was discharged, and only after his retirement years later, when he felt happy to reminisce about his experience, did he apply for his medals.

Being told he had left it too late, he resigned himself to having to parade without them on Remembrance Sunday.

But with the support of a caring village agent, Lorraine Demir, he has finally received the recognition he deserved.

Mr Wilcox, from Stanton, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I never thought I’d get them. The British Legion told me it was too late, so I had just about given up hope.

“I’m so pleased. And I’m grateful to Lorraine for making it happen. She did a fantastic job. I will wear the medals proudly on special occasions.”

Mr Stanton, who can now wear the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945, served in the 6th Airborne Division.

He was left blind in the left eye when a bullet ricocheted into his face while he was crossing a river near Ranville, a village in Normandy, immediately after the landings.

He remembers little of his shooting, but recalls waking up in a hospital tent in Ranville.

After being discharged from the Army following the war, he went on to spend 40 years working for Gloucestershire Highways.

He retired in 1984 and now lives with his brother Victor, 85, and sister Audrey, 75.

Audrey said: “I was only eight years old when Seymour went off to war and remember when he came home injured. He was lucky to be alive.

“Now he has got the medals he will be able to wear them when he goes on parade. It will make him very proud indeed.”

Ms Demir, who works as a village agent for the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, secured the honours by applying to the Medal Office at the then RAF Innsworth, now named Imjin Barracks.

She said: “I helped to fill in the forms needed to apply for the medals, to make it easier for Seymour.

“That’s what village agents are there for. We want to help people who are elderly or live on their own, and give them support whenever they need it..”