World War Two veteran Bernard Morgan, from Crewe, has been made an MBE for services to volunteering and history.
The 101-year-old signed up to join the war effort on his 18th birthday and chose the Royal Air Force because he wanted to fly. But, on a test flight, he suffered with air sickness and was told he would have to stay on the ground.
Once it was discovered he could type, Mr Morgan was tasked with typing daily orders. He was told to type up a call for volunteers to the Code and Cypher unit, which came with the promise of overseas service.
He put his name down, passed his interview and began his specialist training.
On D-Day, Mr Morgan landed in Normandy on Gold Beach, on a Bedford truck carrying the large cypher machine used to decode orders.
He has been a highly respected volunteer at the Imperial War Museum since 2006, contributing to the learning and visitor offer at the North and London branches.
He continues to support the museum’s ‘We Were There’ activities.