HE was among the very first to set foot on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day as bullets and explosions rained down around him.

Now a Hampshire Second World War veteran, who says he just did his job, is to receive France's highest honour.

Steve Henderson. who served as a commando, will be given the Legion d'Honneur this weekend.

Originally from Newcastle, Mr Henderson left his desk job to join up to the Royal Navy in 1938 aged 18 and became a telegraphist - a wireless operator.

The 95-year-old went on to serve on a number of ships that were mined or torpedoed.

At home for ship repairs Mr Henderson signed up for a new unit created by Lord Mountbatten - the Naval Commandos.

The grandfather-of-five and great grandfather-of-five underwent intense training in the wilds of Scotland in 1941 ahead of a number of missions.

Mr Henderson was injured when a bullet struck the side of his face in the Dieppe Raid and was among commandos leading the landings in North Africa in 1942.

In the run up to D-Day, stationed at Exbury House in the New Forest, he took part in daring reconnaissance missions in which commandos rowed boats onto Normandy beaches in darkness to make notes on defences and take samples.

"We had a couple of close shaves," said Mr Henderson, of Fair Oak.

"We nearly got it once and there was an exchange of fire but off we went - they chased us for a mile or so then gave up."

On D-Day itself, June 6 1944, Mr Henderson was part of the landing party that set out from Lepe beach, as part of a bombardment unit.

His job as one of the first landing on Juno Beach was to relay information about German gunners' positions back to the Allied ships to guide shelling.

Each team had two wireless operators in case one fell.

"It was dangerous," he said.

"There was a lot of noise.

"There was a bit of shooting but it wasn't bad - it could have been a lot worse - the odd bloke fell down."

Despite this, Mr Henderson said he had not felt scared.

"I was careful not to expose myself, but not scared.

"The Germans were pulling back - as fast as we went they went back.

"They never stood and fought like we expected."

After the war he lived permanently in Hampshire and married first wife Olive, who he had met as she worked on the Exbury estate, but she died 15 years later.

They lived at Blackfield and Mr Henderson worked until retirement at the Esso refinery at Fawley.

Reflecting on his war experience, he said: "It had to be done and we did our job.

"I wouldn't say I'm proud but satisfied I did what was expected of me.

"I'm very pleased to receive the medal."

Mr Henderson will officially receive his medal at the D-Day Museum in Southsea on Saturday watched by wife of 27 years Lorna, 81.