Highest military honours for veteran about to turn 100

NAVAL CREWMATE READY TO RECALL THE WARTIME EXPLOITS THAT EARNED HIM THE CROIX DE GUERRE ON VE DAY THIS YEAR

- By DAVE ROBSON

HE'S about to turn 100 - but on VE 80th anniversary day, John Hannan will be recalling the wartime exploits that earned him one of France’s highest military honours.

The Croix de Guerre is given to individuals or units who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy.

And thanks to his service aboard Tribal-class destroyer HMS Eskimo, John, of Middlesbrough, is a proud holder of that medal - along with others awarded for his wartime service.

As D-Day approached in 1944, John and his crewmates patrolled the French coast aboard HMS Eskimo to help ensure nothing would interfere with the Normandy landings. And their efforts helped ensure that on June 6, 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare went ahead.

John turned 19 on May 12, 1944 - less than a month before D-Day. He'll be celebrating his 100th birthday just four days after this week's VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations.