VE Day surprise for Cornish care home resident

A Cornish care home resident has been honoured with France’s highest Order of Merit for his role in the Liberation of France in World War II.

The surprise presentation of the Legion of Honour medal was made to Derek Taylor on the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.

The 94 year old has been appointed to the rank of ‘Chevalier’ in the ‘Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur' by the President of the Republic of France.

Derek was applauded by other residents and staff at the Torcare residential home in Torpoint.

He was secretly nominated for the award by his family.

Derek Taylor started his war service in the RAF and trained as a wireless operator. He was later transferred to the Army as a gunner when more soldiers were needed for the Royal Artillery.

Derek was sent to France in 1944 and was based just outside Dunkirk where he and his regiment became part of the effort to push back the German Army.