Marlborough war hero presented with Legion d’Honneur at his GWH bedside

A D-Day veteran who lives in Marlborough has been presented – during a bedside ceremony at Great Western Hospital – with the highest honour that the French government can award.
 
Last week Lieutenant Colonel Ian Neilson was given the prestigious Legion d’Honneur at GWH by Colonel Olivier Fort, the Senior French Army Liaison Officer in Britain in recognition of his role in the Liberation of France in 1944 – and of his bravery.  He is now a Chevalier in the National Order of the Legion d’Honneur.

The 96-year-old had been due to receive the honour, which is France’s equivalent of a knighthood, during a special ceremony at the Museum of Army Flying in Hampshire, but had to be admitted to GWH.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Lt Col Neilson told staff on the ward: “I was sad that I couldn’t go to the event in person, but I’m delighted and very pleasantly surprised to receive this honour.”

After joining the Territorial Army in 1938, Lt Col Neilson went on to become one of the army’s first Air Observation Post volunteers.  Their job was to accompany military aircraft on missions over enemy-held territory and watch from the air for potential targets.

In a speech, which had been written by Lt Col Neilson but was delivered by his son at the ceremony, he said: “We, who survived, were extraordinarily fortunate in Air Observation Posts. Unarmed aviation, particularly our low flying, demanded 100 per cent concentration and skill.”

“I feel that there is no doubt about the major contribution of all the Air Observation Post squadrons during World War II and I am particularly proud to have been part of it.”

“In 2015, I am honoured and very appreciative of my appointment, by the President of France, to the rank of Chevalier in the National Order of the Legion of Honour.”

Lt Col Neilson played a vital role in the D-Day landings in 1944. He was one of the first to arrive on the beaches and was tasked with finding a suitable area for support aircraft to land.   (You can read Marlborough News Online’s account of Lt Col Neilson’s D-Day exploits here.)

Also present at GWH for the medal presentation were Lieutenant General Sir Gary Coward and hospital staff Stacey Cotter (Ward Manager) and Dr Nirmalan Arulanantham (Consultant Physician.)