D-Day hero Geoffrey's tears at long-awaited medal

Those are the words of the proud daughter-in-law of a heroic D-Day veteran as he received the French government's highest accolade.

Emotions ran high for both Geoffrey Russon and his family when the 92-year-old was finally handed the Legion D'Honneur.

Both Geoffrey and his daughter-in-law Yvonne - who has defiantly fought his corner to try to ensure he received the medal before his death - were reduced to tears as she handed over the honour.

After months of canvassing, she was able to present Geoffrey, of Cradley Heath, with the medal he earned for his efforts seven decades ago.

It was handed to her by the French Ambassador on Tuesday and she gave it to Geoffrey in Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley.

Yvonne, aged 50, said she was 'proud' to be able to give him the early Christmas present and ensure his anxious wait had a happy ending.

She said: "I went in with the box open for him and said 'this is yours, this is actually your medal'.

"He was absolutely shocked and he started crying, then I started crying.

"I think he's very thankful that he actually got to see the medal before he died, as he didn't think he would.

"The medal has been awarded to him but he says it's for everyone who didn't manage to come back home."

Yvonne, who lives in Stafford, added: "He didn't think he was going to get this medal - he always thought he would die before he actually got it.

"He's an amazing man and I love him to bits.

"I'm so proud of him and so happy that I managed to do something for him."

After receiving the Legion D'Honneur, shocked Geoffrey - who belongs to the Birmingham branch of the Normandy Veterans - said: "I never thought I was going to get this."

The French government announced last summer it would recognise all surviving D-Day veterans with the medal, which is the country's highest honour.

Geoffrey applied for his medal soon after the announcement was made, but both he and Yvonne feared it would not arrive until it was too late.

Geoffrey was a 19-year-old driver in the Royal Army Service Corps during the Normandy offensive.

Yvonne emailed the French Embassy and other organisations in an effort to fast-track the applications for the medal.

Her campaign was backed by Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy.

Geoffrey's grandson Nik posted on Facebook: "My grandad, I am so proud to call you my grandad.

"You are my hero and my best friend you deserve everything you get.

"Words cannot describe how proud I am to be called a Russon."

Well wishers have lined up to praise Geoffrey and state their delight he finally received the gong.

As the wait for the medal dragged on, housebound Geoffrey voiced his disappointment earlier this year that the process was taking so long.

There are just six Veterans in his branch - down from 150 a few years ago, he said.

"I had a letter from the Ministry of Defence saying my application had been forwarded to the French government," Geoffrey said.

"I've no idea why it's taking so long. Some will not have this medal. It's wrong.They were quick enough to get us over there."