THE death has been announced of a Crediton man who was a D-Day landings veteran.

Richard Huxtable (94), of Longmeadows, Crediton, was only last month awarded one of France’s highest military awards, the Legion d’honneur.

Mr Huxtable, who was the dearly loved husband of Eileen, passed away peacefully at home.

He was recognised with the honour in December at a special presentation ceremony, held in Exeter, which attracted a great deal of media attention.

Mr Huxtable had trained as a dispatch rider at Blackpool prior to joining the 392 Battery Royal Artillery in the 79th Armoured Division as a dispatch rider before being transferred to the 15th Scottish Division.

He left Tilbury Docks soon after D-Day, landing on the Normandy “Gold” beach.

It was on those beaches and roads around the area that he served, carrying messages backwards and forwards as the battles continued during the Second World War.

Last month he explained that radio signals were not permitted and dispatch riders carried messages night and day.

He had recounted some of the battles he was involved with and one in particular where a village had changed hands six or seven times, first occupied by the Germans, then the British and on.

His service continued there and into Holland and then Germany and it was in Germany that he was injured.

He was flown back to Liverpool and because he leg was infected he was transferred to a hospital in Plymouth.

It was while he was in the hospital that he met Eileen, a nurse, and it was love at first sight.

He and Eileen had been married for 66 years.

Richard was 23 and Eileen was 18 when they met.

After the War, Richard, who was born in Combe Martin, North Devon, returned to the area to live with Eileen, where he became a plumbing and heating engineer, later moving to Ilfracombe.

Their daughter, Elaine, who lives in Exeter, followed in her mother’s footsteps and is a nurse. Their son, David, was tragically killed some years ago. Richard and Eileen had two great-grandchildren, Oscar and Sullivan.

The couple were both members of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion and returned to Normandy many times.

Richard received the Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur officially at a ceremony held at the Exeter White Ensign Club.

His award was recognised by French Ambassador Sylvie Berman.

Eileen last month said that Richard was among the lucky dispatch riders to return. She said that Richard lost two fellow dispatch riders who were killed by Germans who placed wires across roads, resulting in both of them being decapitated.

Eileen added that Richard “had served his country well” and Richard himself added last month that he was “proud to have done so”.

He added at the time: “I was never one to seek the limelight or publicity but I am proud to accept this honour and do so for those who have gone on and to remind people today so that they never forget.”

Richard’s funeral service will take place at Crediton Parish Church on Friday, January 22 at 12 noon.

Donations will be accepted for the Royal British Legion (Crediton Branch) and the Holy Cross Crediton Campaign Roof Appeal.

These can be made at the service or c/o A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton.

Alan Quick