A WAR hero from Galashiels has been awarded France's highest military honour - more than 70 years after helping liberate the country.

George Coltman was part of the 6th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) who landed on the Normandy beaches during D-Day.

The 95-year-old was this week presented with the Légion d’Honneur at a ceremony by France's Consulate General, Emmanuel Cocher.

George was part of a group of rugby players from the town to enlist en masse at the outbreak of World War II.

The former printer, who was 23 on the day of the Normandy landings, told the Border Telegraph: "We were all about 18 years old at the rugby and decided to go and volunteer together at the TA Hall.

"We spent a long time training in different parts of the country before going to Normandy. We were ready for what we had to do.

"I still remember D-Day but it's not something I've ever talked much about."

Following the Allied landings of June 4, 1944, which helped turn the tide of World War II against Nazi Germany, George continued to help liberate France and then the Netherlands.

He admits the honour, some 72 years later from the French President, came as a bit of a surprise.

George was accompanied by his son, grandchildren and three great-grandchildren Sadie Coltman, 4, Louis Coltman, 6, and Joe Hannah, 7, at the ceremony.

He added: "I was a little surprised when I found out I was to get a medal - it seems like such a long time ago - but I'm honoured."

France announced on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings that it wanted to recognise the selfless acts of heroism and determination displayed by all surviving veterans by awarding them with the Legion d’Honneur.

A Légion d’Honneur medal was presented to 96-year-old Jackie Webster from Galashiels, who was part of the same battalion, at a ceremony earlier this year.

And yesterday Consulate General Cocher returned to Quins Restaurant to honour George.

Mr Cocher said: "The memories of World War II are very much in our minds just now with what France is currently going through.

"Our whole nation is thankful to the men who helped liberate our country - there is a lot of admiration for the British servicemen who took part in the D-Day landings."