IN HIS own words he was simply “doing his duty”.

But now Robert Manwaring's long and distinguished Royal Navy career which spanned three decades has earned him the highest honour that could be bestowed in France: Legion d’Honneur.

The country has recognised his efforts during one of the most decisive chapters of Second World War.

The 96-year-old served in the Royal Navy for 34 years, from 1935 to 1969, and during that time he served on a number of ships including the HMS Delhi, the HMS Cottesmore and HMS Cumberland.

His career in the Royal Navy took him across the world, from being part of the D-Day landings in 1944 to seeing action near North Africa in 1942, and then serving in Burma in 1945, which earned him an encounter with Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery.

The great-grandfather of twoHe served as a navigating officer and had his first taste of combat onboard the HMS Delhi in 1936, when the ship was sent to protect merchant vessels in the bay of Barcelona. While the ship was anchored it survived a bombing raid.

In 1942 he served on the HMS Cottesmore. He was also given a mention in dispatches as the ship intercepted and destroyed a German merchant ship.

During the D-Day landings which saw the Allied forces start the invasion of France, he was serving as an executive officer on the Cottesmore.

It was operating between Gold Beach and Omaha beach, and escorted a convoy of ships across the Channel. The ship was also involved in the bombardment of the shore to prevent German guns from firing at landing forces.

Mr Manwaring said: “There was no excitement, we had a number of operations over the years, it was part and parcel of naval life, even when you suddenly get a bombing or something like that you can’t afford to lose your concentration.”

After D-Day he went to Burma in 1945, where he was onboard the HMS Cumberland. While there he was among the forces who were spoken to by Field Marshal Montgomery during a victory parade that signalled the end of the war.

Mr Manwaring, said: "We were ready to bombard the islands off Burma, where the airfields were, but then the Japanese War ended, so I went into Rangoon for the victory parade.”

Mr Manwaring retired from the navy in 1969, and became a lecturer. He had two children Pippa and Nikki and has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He retired in 1985, and now lives in Winchester to be closer to his family.

Speaking about receiving the Legion d’Honneur, Mr Manwaring, said: “We are living as we are now because of what people like me did before you.

“It would have been a very different life if the Germans had taken over.”

“I do not feel particularly proud, it is part of my service, and for what I did in the service, I was rewarded for it."

“I am not the only one it is just part of my naval career.

“We all did our duty during the war.”