Ceremony for elderly who missed war trip

Normandy veterans too frail to travel from the Black Country for the 65th anniversary of the landings will be honoured in a ceremony in Sandwell.

And there is still time for any who have not applied for their medals to do so ahead of the event next month. A celebration of the work of 55 ex-servicemen who were unable to make the trip to Arromanches in June will be held on September 24.

The men from across the Black Country applied for commemorative bars and asked for them to be brought back by representatives from Alexandra High School, Tipton, because they were unable to travel themselves.

A coach party from the school went to the 65th anniversary service at Arromanches on June 6, with 16 veterans who were well enough to travel being honoured individually.

Anniversary bar badges were meant to be collected for the veterans. A party from Tipton was due to do the pick-up but French officials blocked the move and trip organisers were told they could not return with souvenirs for the heroes.

But the French government has since agreed to send the medals through the post. The school's extended services manager Hilary Brown organised the trip and also submitted applications for all 55 who did not travel.

And she is offering for any others who have not yet made their application to come forward. She said: "The French government is being extremely co-operative."

The commemoration service at the Alexandra Road school will see West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey present the medals. The 16 veterans who took the trip to Normandy alongside pupils have also been invited.

A second veterans trip is also being organised by the school to Arnhem in September to commemorate Operation Market Garden. For details about the medals call Mrs Brown on 0121 522 5738.