A former Royal Marine has been honoured by both France and Russia for his contribution during the Second World War.

Leslie Savill, 92, of Gainsborough Drive, Gravesend, was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by the French government for his role in the liberation of France.

It was presented to him by the French Consul at a ceremony in Portsmouth.

Mr Savill, who signed up to join the Royal Marines when he was only 16, earned his first honour soon after when he was presented with the Royal Marine medal for an outstanding level of physical training after coming top in training.

He was then assigned to the British warship HMS Abercrombie, which was equipped with heavy armour and 15-inch guns.

The Royal Marines’ role was to protect the officers, man the armaments of the vessel and serve as fighting troops who could be sent ashore on a mission or to assist with any skirmishes.

Mr Savill was involved in the battle for Sicily where they were assigned to the American battle fleet to attack the island. Because of their noteworthy support and success in blowing up the enemy’s headquarters 17 miles inland, the Americans awarded HMS Abercrombie with the Silver Star.

The warship was damaged by mines, so Mr Savill was transferred to HMS Mauritius, a cruiser class vessel which was dispatched to Normandy for D-Day, where they supported the troops at Sword Beach taking out vital gun points and strongholds.

They then moved on to Le Havre and destroyed German gun batteries. A blockade of Brest followed, sinking several ships. It was for this that Mr Savill was awarded one of France’s highest honours.

His next challenge earned him more recognition.

HMS Mauritius was sent to Scapa Flow to tackle German warships trying to stop merchant ships carrying vital food and medical supplies to Russia. One German vessel was damaged, another forced back. This action was recognised when Mr Savill was awarded the Russian Ushakov Medal by President Vladimir Putin. It was presented to him by the Russian ambassador in London last October.

He was also presented with the 70th Anniversary Medal.

After seven years with the Marines, Mr Savill served with the Merchant Navy and then became a manager at Imperial Paper Mills, Gravesend, before retiring at 60. He was married to Barbara and they had four sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

As president of the Gravesham Royal Marine Association, Mr Savill is still involved in Royal Marine activities and traditions.

His son, Tony, 60, from Gravesend, said: “The family is very proud and honoured.”