RESIDENTS and staff at a care home in Peebles have saluted their very own D-Day war hero.

Alfred Goddard was critically wounded after being dropped behind enemy lines on June 6, 1944.

But the 97-year-old survived - and he even married the nurse who helped him back to full fitness.

On Wednesday Alfred joined the rest of the residents at Peebles Nursing Home to watch the televised commemorations from Southsea Common.

Gemma Brown from Peebles Care Home told us: "We would like to pay our tremendous gratitude and respect to Alfred - one of the many heroes of World War II who sacrificed everything in the D-Day assault.

"We owe an immeasurable debt to Alfred, and indeed to all his fellow veterans.

"It goes without saying that we are truly honoured to have his company on the 75th anniversary of this remarkably poignant day in history."

Alfred, who was born in Sussex in 1922, was awarded France’s highest accolade – the Legion d’honneur - for his part in liberating Europe from the Nazis.

After serving for two years as a bomb spotter during the Blitz in South East London, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant of the Royal Tank Regiment.

By 1944 Alfred had volunteered to serve with the 6th Airborne Armoured Recce Regiment ahead of the D-Day Landings.

On June 6, 1944, Alfred commanded his tank troop as they took off from RAF Tarrant Rushton in Hamilcar military gliders to be towed across the English Channel.

Before the regiment set off, they were paid a visit by the King George VI and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, to wish them luck.

The tank troop landed at Ranville, Normandy where they completed the mission against the Germans.

But Alfred suffered shell splinters to his head during the mission and was brought back to Britain and treated at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

During his time on the wards he met staff nurse Doreen Foster.

The couple married the following year and remained together until Dorren died four years ago.

On Wednesday, Mr Goddard was accompanied by his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Goddard, during the D-Day commemorations at Peebles Care Home.

Alfred along with all of the other guests enjoyed a traditional British buffet along with a glass of fizz.

Staff at the home also produced their own tribute letter which was handed out to all residents.