Newsuk newsremembrance dayarmistice day

James O'Brien Praises Normandy Veteran As 'Possibly The Most Impressive Person' He's Ever Had On LBC Show

James O'Brien Describes Veteran As 'Most Impressive Person' He's Had On His Show
Sarah Ann Harris
|
Open Image Modal

LBC’s James O’Brien has praised one of the last surviving men involved in the Normandy landings as “possibly the most impressive person I've spoken to on this programme".

A 90-year-old veteran named Mervyn told O’Brien about his experiences of the landings three days after D-Day.

He explained how they were told to get as much sleep as possible during the 14-hour crossing to France because they didn’t know when they would get the chance to rest again.

Mervyn said: “The Navy woke us up at about five in the morning and we could see the French outline. It was just dawn. You could see ships and boats and little craft close to us, like on a pond in a park as far as you could see.

“Then you began to pray and just hope you would get through it.”

Listen to the interview below…

After racing up the beach, the men were received by villagers who cheered them and offered flowers and drinks - although they were warned not to take the drinks in case they were poisoned.

Mervyn added that they were offered kisses, which they were certainly glad to accept.

Later the former serviceman’s wife, Betty, chimed in to prompt him to tell listeners about an upcoming honour he was to receive.

SEE ALSO:

A little reluctantly, Mervyn told O’Brien he was set to be awarded the Legion D'Honneur from the French Embassy, one of the top medals a soldier can receive.

An admiring O’Brien told the veteran: "You Sir, are possibly the most impressive person I've spoken to on this programme."

He added that Mervyn had “done us an astonishing privilege today by sharing your story”.

Remembrance Day in Pictures 11th November 2015
Armistice Day 2015(01 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Princess Royal (centre) views names of fallen service men and women on the Armed Forces Memorial after a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(02 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Princess Royal (centre) during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(03 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Overtones perform at Trafalgar Square in London, before two minutes silence is observed to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Lauren Hurley/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(04 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Princess Royal speaks during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(05 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Princess Royal addresses the congregation during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(06 of36)
Open Image Modal
RETRANSMITTING TO AMEND SPELLING OF CYNDY First year pupils Harrison Clayden (left) and Cyndy Alima lay a wreath in the Chapel at Brentwood School in Brentwood, Essex to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(07 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Princess Royal during a service at National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(08 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(09 of36)
Open Image Modal
Veterans walk past the Memorial Wall at the Battle of Britain memorial on Capel le Ferne, Folkestone, following two minutes silence to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(10 of36)
Open Image Modal
Reverend Vicki Burrows leads prayers at the War Memorial on the high street in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, where a two minutes silence was held to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(11 of36)
Open Image Modal
Cllr Ian Ferries, Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett (2nd right) and North Wiltshire MP James Gray (left) join members of the public and veterans in a two minutes silence in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(12 of36)
Open Image Modal
Members of the public throw poppies in the fountain at Trafalgar Square, central London, before a two minute silence is observed to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Lauren Hurley/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(13 of36)
Open Image Modal
A rainbow appears above the sculpture Eleven 'O' One in Seaham, County Durham, ahead of a ceremony to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(14 of36)
Open Image Modal
First year pupils Harrison Clayden (left) and Cindy Alima lay a wreath in the Chapel at Brentwood School in Brentwood, Essex to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(15 of36)
Open Image Modal
Larry Roberts, 60, a veteran from South Shields who served with the Royal Green Jackets, plays the bugle during a ceremony at the sculpture Eleven 'O' One in Seaham, County Durham, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(16 of36)
Open Image Modal
A musician plays a violin made from sycamore and pine trees that grew in the former battlefields on the Western Front after a two minute silence was observed at the Imperial War Museum in London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Hanging Spitfire Exhibit Lowered To The Ground For Conservation Checks(17 of36)
Open Image Modal
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Workmen Danny Skidmore, Mark Joyce and Chaz Cooper stand under Spitfire LA198 at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery during a two minute silence being observed across the UK on Armistice Day, to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the two world wars and all conflict since, on November 11, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. Kelvingrove Museum is lowering to the ground one of its most popular exhibits, a Spitfire LA198, on Armistice Day for its once in a decade conservation checks. The spitfire has been on display, hanging above the popular Life Gallery in the museums West Court, since Kelvingrove opened after significant refurbishment in July 2006. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
Armistice Day 2015(18 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed by pupils at Comberton Village College in Comberton, Cambridgeshire, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(19 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed at Lloyd's of London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(20 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed at Lloyd's of London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(21 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed at Lloyd's of London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(22 of36)
Open Image Modal
Poppies fall as a two minutes silence is observed in Liverpool to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(23 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed at the Imperial War Museum in London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(24 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed at the Imperial War Museum in London to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(25 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed by pupils at Comberton Village College in Comberton, Cambridgeshire, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(26 of36)
Open Image Modal
Pupils after they observed a two minutes silence at Sunnyside Spencer Academy in Nottingham to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Simon Cooper/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(27 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed by pupils at Sunnyside Spencer Academy in Nottingham to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Simon Cooper/PA Wire)
Armistice Day 2015(28 of36)
Open Image Modal
Two minutes silence is observed by pupils at Sunnyside Spencer Academy in Nottingham to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. (credit:Simon Cooper/PA Wire)
Pakistan v England - 1st One Day International(29 of36)
Open Image Modal
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 11: England and Pakistan players observe a minute's silence on remembrance day ahead of the 1st One Day International between Pakistan and England at Zayed Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Pakistan v England - 1st One Day International(30 of36)
Open Image Modal
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 11: England and Pakistan players observe a minute's silence on remembrance day ahead of the 1st One Day International between Pakistan and England at Zayed Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Royal visit to Australia-Day Two(31 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall place their poppies on the wall of remembrance, after the remembrance day service at the Australian national War Memorial in Canberra the capital of Australia. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
Royal visit to Australia-Day Two(32 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall after they placed their poppies on the wall of remembrance, after the remembrance day service at the Australian national War Memorial in Canberra the capital of Australia. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
Royal visit to Australia-Day Two(33 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Duchess of Cornwall walks ahead of the Prince of Wales and Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, after they placed their poppies on the wall of remembrance, after the remembrance day service at the Australian national War Memorial in Canberra the capital of Australia. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
Royal visit to Australia-Day Two(34 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall turn away after laying their Wreathes, during the remembrance day service at the Australian national War Memorial in Canberra the capital of Australia. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
Australia Britan Royal Visit(35 of36)
Open Image Modal
Britain's Prince Charles, second right, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, right, place a wreath during Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. Charles and Camilla are on a 6-day visit to Australia. (AP Photo/Sean Davey) (credit:Sean Davey/AP)
Armistice Day 2015(36 of36)
Open Image Modal
James McEwan (right), who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, sheds a tear as he looks at the garden of remembrance in George Square, Glasgow, alongside Peter Ferguson, who lost his son in the Iraq conflict. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip