DURING the recent remembrance celebrations of D-Day, David Edwards of Abergavenny Isca Probus, was presented with the Chevalier Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) medal - France’s highest order of merit - at the school which bears his name, in the Normandy village of Mondrainville.

On June 6, David joined other members of the armed forces, past and present, to commemorate those who fought and died during the D-Day landings in 1944.

While fighting in the village of Mondrainville, shortly after the D-Day landings, David chanced upon a family photograph lying on the ground. David pocketed it and carried it with him throughout the rest of the war, determined to return one day and find the house featured in the picture.

David returned to the village in 1986 and met the house’s current owners, sparking the beginning of a close bond between the village of Mondrainville and Abergavenny.

Over the years, David has made many journeys back to Normandy to pay his respects to those who died in the Second World War, and to foster close relationships with the local communities.

Through his efforts, schoolchildren in Wales and Normandy have maintained close links, and a primary school in Mondrainville was named “L’Ecole Edwards-Griffiths” in honour of David Edwards and his friend, fellow veteran Tom Griffiths, who was also an Abergavenny Isca Probus member until he passed away a few years ago.

Mr Edwards previously told the Chronicle, “I think its wonderful that the children of Abergavenny and Mondraiville are mingling together and learning to respect and appreciate one another’s cultures. This was not always the case, and it is important that they are also learning about the war and the sacrifices people made to make this possible.”

“It is such an honour for me and Mr Griffiths to have a school named after us. We were just two privates doing our duty amongst thousands of other brave soldiers who should never be forgotten.”

Emotions ran high during remembrance events, when the cemetery service was followed by a visit to Arromanches, where David and his squad-mates of the 53rd Welsh Infantry Division landed in 1944 to take the beach codenamed “Sword”.

David laid a wreath during the service of remembrance at the Bayeux War Cemetery, which was also attended by Prince Charles.

Mr Edwards added, “Whenever I visit Normandy it conjures up a whole host of emotions and memories for me. One time a particular incident happened that I know will stay with me.

“The bus had just pulled up outside our hotel and before we got off, a French lady climbed on board and said, ‘My english is not that good, but it is good enough to thank you all for giving my grandchildren their freedom.’

“I thought that was such a lovely gesture because for anyone who has fought in a war, you cannot put the things you experience into words.

“Normandy was a special place for the allies who saw action there, because everyone knew it was the beginning of the end and that the whole thing would soon be over.”