Posted on 01/10/2016 7:06:59 PM PST by BeadCounter
'Our freedom was threatened by a madman. Somebody had to stand up and why not me?'
A Second World War veteran, who now calls Oakville home, is receiving the Legion of Honour for his part in liberating France and the rest of Western Europe from the Nazis. Edward (Ted) James Kersey, 92, joined the Canadian Army in 1943 at the age of 19 and served as a dispatch motorcycle rider with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corp.
During fierce fighting in France, Belgium and Holland Kersey relayed vital messages from the front lines to various military headquarters in the rear thereby ensuring his fellow soldiers had the supplies and equipment they needed to win their battles.
During a Sunday ceremony at Glen Abbey United Church Kersey is to officially be awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.
The Legion of Honour is the highest National Order of France.
It's very humbling," said Kersey.
It's a surprise after 70 years. Seventy years ago, I was bouncing around the roads of France on my motorcycle.â€
Kersey is among around 1,000 Canadians who will receive the award over the course of a campaign by the French government to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidehalton.com ...
So perhaps some US soldiers and others will likewise receive these "Legion of honours" .
The story has some graphic descriptions of him telling it like it was, snipers, seeing fellow motorcycle riders hit and so on.
That makes 2 people named Kersey who I greatly admire - one real, one fictional.
France awards the Legion of Honor to all Allied veterans who fought in France during World War II. They have been doing this for some time. These awards are only made to veterans who are still living. Veteran Organizations can help with the application, or people can contact the French Embassy. The discharge papers for the veteran are required and it must include participation in one of the campaigns that occurred in France.
My Dad, who flew Halifax bombers in WWII, also received this award. It was last Nov. 10 at the French Embassy in Ottawa, with about 18 other veterans. Medal was pinned onto his chest (wrong side, alas) by the French Ambassador.
I was proud to be there to witness, along with my wife and my brother and his wife. And it’s a beautiful medal!
cheers,
Jim
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