A SECOND World War gunner who served with David Cameron’s grandfather has received France’s highest decoration for his bravery during the Normandy landings.

Tony Rampling, 91, of Thorrington Road, Great Bentley, was part of the Reconnaissance Regiment.

Mr Rampling, who was a light machine gunner, has been awarded a National Order of the Legion of Honour from the French embassy.

He said: “It was about ten days after we landed on Gold Beach before we got the whole regiment back together.

“My commanding officer was Sir William Mount, David Cameron’s grandfather.

“He was wounded on the first day of the landings and I saw him several times after the war at reunions.”

After the landings Mr Rampling was involved in fighting in Bayeux and Caen.

He said: “We were unable to take our boots off for 40 days. At night, we had to dig a trench, got to sleep at 10.30pm and be up with a rifle in hand at dawn.”

Mr Rampling was involved in the Falaise Gap battle, where 10,000 German troops were killed.

He said: “The bodies of horses and men were in the sun rotting.

The stench was unbelievable.”

The group fought their way through through Belgium before they disbanded. Mr Rampling was moved to a tank regiment until the war ended.

Months afterwards he suffered pneumonia and a collapsed lung and spent time in four hospitals.

He recovered and started a fruit and vegetable business in Clacton, which ran for several years.

Mr Rampling said he was pleased to have been given the honour award.

He said: “It was not a surprise because I had applied for it, but I am happy even, though it has taken a little while.”

Veterans were able to apply for the honour from last year, to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.