It has been a long time coming, but the wait was most certainly worth it.

More than 70 years after playing his part in the Normandy landings during the Second World War, veteran Joe Hoadley finally received fitting recognition in the form of the French Legion D’Honneur.

“We were told we would get one eventually, once the French got their stock made up again,” said 92-year-old Joe of the arduous process.

“They were inundated with applications, more than they thought there was going to be, and they ran out.

“We had to fill in a form to say where we were in France, what we did and what places we went to, the day we landed and the regiment we were with.

“Our secretary [of his military association] was doing his best, writing to the French embassy, and we eventually got word that we would get it.”

Like many of his fellow British veterans who fought across the Channel during the war, Joe was sent his award in the post just before Christmas.

That was almost 72 years after he was sent to Normandy as an anti-tank gunner with the 49th Reconnaissance Regiment, lovingly known as the Polar Bears.

Having joined up with the regiment at Porthcawl, South Wales, in September 1942, Joe and his squadron made their way over to France on June 6, 1944.

“Hitler said we were going to invade Calais, they were not expecting us to show up in Normandy!"

“Hitler said we were going to invade Calais, they were not expecting us to show up in Normandy,” said Joe.

“They had the shock of their lives when they saw the Polar Bear division because according to their intelligence we were not supposed to be there, we were supposed to be in Calais!”

Despite catching their enemies unawares, casualties were still heavy, with Joe able to testify to the horrors of life on the front.

One of the first sights to greet him upon leaving the landing beaches were the graves of fallen soldiers.

“They were shallow graves, just to cover them up and leave their boots showing so they could be identified as British or German,” he said.

“We stayed in Normandy until August and travelled all over. Being the reconnaissance regiment we were pretty busy.”

“We stayed in Normandy until August and travelled all over. Being the reconnaissance regiment we were pretty busy.”

Joe and his comrades managed to soldier on into Belgium and Holland, where their work to liberate towns occupied by the Nazis is commemorated by various plaques and medals.

As a member of the Old Comrades Association, Joe still makes regular visits abroad and is recognised wherever he goes — he was even awarded the freedom of the city in Turnhout, Belgium.

Joe also spent seven months in a prisoner of war camp, and has a medal on his jacket to show for it.

Others proudly on display include a British war medal, a defence medal and one each to commemorate his efforts in Normandy and Utrecht.

Make no mistake, Joe is considered something of a hero wherever his time with the Polar Bears took him.

St John’s Comprehensive in Gravesend holds a special place in Joe’s heart — three of his seven grandchildren attended the school and the history society dedicated a book to him, dubbed A Polar Bear Reflects.

Although being born and bred in Swanscombe, he makes sure he spends time educating the youngsters on the men who gave them a future.

“We started going down there quite a while ago. There used to be three of us who went,” said Joe.

“We were always made welcome there, talking to children – some of whom who are now grown up and married!

“I enjoy going to local schools and I think the school teachers enjoy us going because they often tell us the children listen to what we say and pay attention more than they do when they are talking.”

“I enjoy going to local schools and I think the school teachers enjoy us going because they often tell us the children listen to what we say and pay attention more than they do when they are talking.”

Family life is also important for Joe, especially following the passing of his wife of 50 years Rita.

With three children and 16 great-grandchildren, he certainly has not been short on company over the years.

And what fantastic company he is, with enough gripping stories to tell to last a lifetime.

Let us ensure they are never forgotten.

Joe is grateful to the support of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, who are currently recruiting new volunteers to help care for Kent’s military veterans.

If you are interested in joining the team, contact SSAFA on 0845 658 1167 or visit ssafa.org.uk/newrecruits.