A Gravesend man has been awarded France’s highest honour for his part in towing a floating harbour to Normandy’s war-torn coast on D-Day.

John Roots, 93, who is known as Jack, was presented with the Legion d’honneur by Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Mick Wenban at a party held at Chestnuts Residential Care Home, Wrotham Road, Meopham.

Mr Roots was a merchant seaman of just 21 when he braved heavy enemy and artillery fire at Sword Beach on board the tug Empire Betsy.

His mission was to help tow into position 17 old merchant ships that had sailed from England so that they could be sunk up to deck level off Normandy.

They created a foundation for the immense prefabricated Mulberry – a floating harbour – that was then positioned in support of the British and Canadian landings.

Mr Roots said with tears in his eyes as he received the medal: “I wish my mum and dad could see me now – they would have been proud of me.”

The Mulberry was one of the greatest engineering feats of the Second World War, developed in Britain to facilitate the rapid off-loading of cargo on to the beaches during the Allied invasion.

For 10 months after D-Day it helped land more than 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and 4 million tonnes of supplies.

Mr Roots’s daughter,
Virginia Smith, 66, of Queen Street, Gravesend, said: “We’re all full of pride. I can’t find words to express how I feel – so emotional.

“Dad doesn’t like to talk much about that time. He witnessed so many dead bodies on the beaches, all young men like himself.”

The accompanying letter from the French Embassy, on behalf of the ambassador, said: “I offer you my warmest congratulations on this high honour in recognition of your military engagement and your steadfast involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.”

The letter added: “We must never forget the heroes like you who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France.

“We owe our freedom and security to your dedication because you were ready to risk your life.”