Carmarthen wartime hero honoured by French President
David Williams, of Melin y Coed, Bancyfelin, near Carmarthen, has been awarded France’s highest honour. President Hollande has appointed him a Chevalier in the L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur. He has received the insignia of the Order and a prestigious medal. The accompanying letter emphasised that the honour was ‘in recognition of your acknowledged military engagement and your steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France’. It added that ‘We owe our security and freedom to your dedication because you were ready to risk your own life’. Mr Williams who is 97, was one of the brave soldiers who helped defend and liberate France during World War Two. As a soldier in the ‘British Expeditionary Force’ supporting France’s fight for freedom in May 1940, David Williams was evacuated with the British and French troops from Dunkerque. Following action with the 8th Army in North Africa and Italy, he took part in the liberation of France, landing in Normandy in 1944. Onc...