WORLD War II veteran, Staff Sergeant Alexander Reith (93) of Margate, was awarded France’s highest decoration for bravery.
Mr Reith, together with Captain John Andrew Hilton were invested with the signet of Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honeur (or Knighthood in the Legion of Honour) at a recent ceremony held at the French Embassy in Pretoria.
About 70 years ago, during the WWII, these men were among the thousands of Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen who took part in the D-Day Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, and the liberation of France.
Alex, at the age of 22 years, courageously landed a glider carrying a jeep, field gun and airborne troops in Normandy.
“I was one of 300 glider pilots who took part in the operation. You didn’t get a second chance to land and the most important thing was to land on a particular spot,” he said.
“Although gliders were discontinued in the 1950s they served a vital purpose at the time,” he added.
Prior to his career as a glider pilot, Mr Reith was part of the Royal Engineers’ bomb disposal unit. “I have had an interesting life,” he added, smiling.
Mr Reith’s name will be added to the list of men and women who have received the French Legion of Honour, which celebrates the accomplishments of distinguished individuals who delivered excellent civil or military conduct. The national order of the Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It was first awarded on July 14 1804.
Surrounded by family and friends, Mr Reith thanked French ambassador to South Africa, Elisabeth Barbier, for this highest decoration. “I knocked together a few words in French and thanked French Ambassador Elisabeth Barbier and the French people for this honour,” said Mr Reith.
Mr Reith said that he felt very proud and humble to receive such a honour. “It’s been 71 years, and I’ve had plenty of time to think about the operation and just how lucky I am. I’m filled with pride (to received such a prestigious award) and humility (for all the people who didn’t return from D-Day).”
He thanked Ken Bannister, branch chairman of the South African Air Force Association, Lower South Coast, for his important role in organising this grand occasion.
At the age of 85 and 90 Mr Reith daringly parachuted from an aeroplane. He has high hopes to jump on his 95th birthday. So watch this space!
