RAYMOND Simmons signed up aged just 18, keen to do his bit for king and country.

He was born in Chester Terrace, Brighton, and did his cadet training at Roedean School.

But as soon as he was of age he wanted to take the next step and decided to join the Royal Navy.

He said: “The Navy was quite an experience for me and everyone else who was part of it.

“I think it makes a man of you. You learn to look after yourself.”

The chief petty officer was on ships taking part in the Arctic Convoys – one of the most dangerous assignments a sailor could be given during the war.

Crews would be responsible for making sure cargo and troops had a safe passage.

Operating in sub-zero temperatures, the ships had to be constantly on the lookout for German U- boats which could blow them out of the water without ever being seen.

However, he survived the voyages and returned to England for the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944.

The 95-year-old, who now lives in Caldicot, Wales, was on a transporter ship which was carrying tanks for the men on the beaches.

As a result of his bravery in the liberation of France on June 6, 1944, he is set to be awarded the Legion D’honneur, France’s highest award for bravery, on March 2.

He said: “The award came as a surprise really. It is really the highest award from France for foreigners and it is quite an achievement.

“I was quite young when I joined but it was the right thing to do. My father fought in the First World War.”

After the war he left the Royal Navy and worked as an electrical engineer officer on cross-channel ships from Dover to Calais and Boulogne for nine years.

He then moved to Tadley in Hampshire with his wife who he had met in Swansea during his time in the Navy. The couple retired to Wales.

He said: “She was part of the Land Army and I met her when I arrived at Swansea docks to refuel before we departed for D-Day.

“We got married a few years later. We were married for 63 years before she passed away.”

Mr Simmons’s daughter, Carole MacDougall, who is a surveyor, remembers the stories her parents told her about the war.

She said: “Both my parents put so much in and they never moaned or were bitter about everything they’d been through.

“They’ve always been so positive and I know my mother would have been so proud of my dad.

“We’ve always heard about the war from my dad and we were very proud beforehand but the fact that he is now getting this honour is great.”

She added: “The award is recognition of what my dad did during the war and also for others of his generation who might have not received a medal. We think about them all.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for them. We’ve all got a lot to be grateful for.

“We are all quite excited about it. I think my dad in some ways is a little bit worried. At the age of 95 it’s quite an achievement and we are all thrilled.

“I think he underestimates what he actually did during the war.

“Although he was very lucky not to get injured, from what he’s told us in the past I think it was very distressing. Especially what he saw and what he had to deal with. It wasn’t easy, that is for sure.”

His granddaughter, Kirsty MacDougall, who lives in Brighton, tried to get the ceremony held in his home town but she was told it was not possible.

However, Kirsty will travel to Wales with Raymond’s great-grandson, Oscar, for the ceremony.

She said: “On Remembrance Day, we were at the war memorial in Brighton and my son Oscar was looking at the veterans and saying, ‘mummy, granddad also has a medal and he’s a hero isn’t he?’

“He is a hero to us all, we are so proud of him. It makes me feel emotional and I think it is amazing for all the family.”

“He is an inspiration to me and still a very enthusiastic person.”