Hunstanton resident appointed to rank of Chevalier in the Ordre nationale de la Légion d'Honneur
- By Elaine Bird
- 19 September 2019
- Hunstanton
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On 29th July by decree The President of the Republic of France appointed 98 year old Leonard Potter to the rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre national de la Légion d'Honneur.
Leonard, a resident of Hunstanton, served in the RAF during World War II and he is pictured here with the letter advising him of his award and his insignia.
The Légion d'Honneur, is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and retained by all later French governments and régimes.
The order's motto is Honneur et Patrie (Honour and Fatherland), and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the Seine in Paris.
The message includes the following: “I offer you my warmest congratulations for this high honour, which recognises your military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War.
“As we contemplate this Europe of peace, we must never forget the heroes like you who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”