Navy hero, 101, who downed V1 bomb gets medals after theft

A D-DAY hero who downed a Nazi V1 flying bomb has received new war medals 55 years after the originals were stolen.

- By Matthew Dooley

Tony Bird, 101, served in the Royal Navy and fought during the liberation of France as a Sub-Lieutenant Gunnery Officer on board corvette HMS Clematis.

It escorted landing craft in the initial wave of troops to the beaches off Arromanches.

The vessel came under repeated fire from the Germans and a bullet flew past his head while on its bridge.

But sharp shooter Mr Bird shot down a Nazi V1 flying bomb which crashed into the sea.