Second World War Veteran Michael receives the Legion d’Honneur

Michael Fellows when he served in the Second World War (Image: Archant)

Mr Fellows, 94, was a serving as a sapper for the 39th field squadron of the royal engineers and was in the first landing craft to arrive at Juno beach, at 8:10am on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

His job was to clear anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in the Second World War and make sure it was safe for troops, which meant he had to leave the aircraft first in order to check it was safe for other people.

The honour, the highest the French can offer for military and civilian merit, was opened up to D-Day survivors for their part in the nation’s liberation.

After the way, Mr Fellows became a pacifist and has been a member of the religious society, the Quakers and worked in Huntingdon running his own quantity surveying business called Fellows and Ballard.

He played a key part in establishing the Quakers presence in Godmanchester with the purchase of the Rose and Crown development of the Quaker meeting house there.

Mr Fellows who now lives in a care home in Huntingdon, met his wife Charlotte in Germany after the war and once he was demobbed bought her back to Britain to marry her.

Him and Charlotte have now been married for 71 years, and have three daughters, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Charlotte Fellows said: “We met when he was over in Germany, and he bought me back here so we could start a family.

“I’m so proud of him getting this award, and getting recognition for what he did. Michael very rarely talked about the war, and would never take any praise for how much of a hero he really was.”

The veteran then went on to be a Liberal County Councillor for 16 years, where he engaged with the community in Huntingdonshire.

His daughter Michelle said: “I am so proud of what my dad has received and I’m really glad he has got the recognition for what he has done.”