A World War Two veteran who parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy on D-Day under gunfire from German artillery has been awarded one of France’s highest military honours.

Arthur Cooper, 94, of Dorset Road, Belmont, was bestowed the distinction of Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion of Honour for his bravery in the country’s liberation during the June 1944 mission.

The former 6th Division paratrooper with the Yorkshire Regiment took part in Operation Deadstick, the first of the Allied forces action during D-Day, and was dropped near Pegasus Bridge, close to the Caen Canal.

Many paratroopers lost their lives, including a friend of Mr Cooper’s who jumped alongside him and is thought to have been shot down by Nazi forces.

The Allies successfully captured the town of Breville following a bloody battle, but the loss of life was huge. Of the 550 men who jumped into Normandy, only 55 survived.

Mr Cooper’s daughter, Sandra Mills, 55, said: “My father did not talk about the war for many years, but he has began to open up more recently and was in Normandy for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

“Recently my uncle, Alan, wrote to the office that hands out the awards and surprised us all on Friday with the award and my dad was overwhelmed. I’d really like to thank him for all the effort that he went through to get it.

Mrs Mills later added: “I think none of us can understand what they went through. He went through so much during the war and has so many memories about what happened.

“I’m so proud for him and, even though he has not been in the best of health, but this award has really lifted him.”

Speaking about the award, Mr Cooper said: “I was shocked. I did not expect it at all. My brother and his wife came over on Friday and after we had some fish and chips she got up and read out the accreditation. I could not believe what I was listening to and after a bit she started to cry and my brother took over, then he started to cry as well.

“At the end of it I was presented with the medal. I don’t think I slept for two nights after that.”

Following his military service, Mr Cooper ran a newsagents in Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, with his brothers Alan and Dick and at one time was president of Sutton Bowling Club.