TALKING of heroes, we report, today, the sad passing away of York Normandy veteran Gordon Collinson, whose story reads like something from a Boy's Own annual.

Mr Collinson landed on Gold Beach, five days after D-Day from a tank landing craft. He says the worst part was that they didn't tell him how deep the sea would be and when he came down the landing ramp. It was up to his neck.

That's a typical anecdote from a war veteran, who all understate their contribution in making this country safe from tyranny. None of them will thank you for using the H-word either. We were just doing our bit, they insist.

But that bit was a huge bit and we all owe a debt of gratitude to people like Mr Collinson.

In part some of that was paid at the Yorkshire Air Museum in April, when Mr Collinson and six colleagues received France's highest decoration, the Legion d'Honneur. The medal was long overdue, but the look of pride on his face that day will form a lasting memory for his family.