ONE of the last surviving veterans of the 1944 Battle of Breville watched proudly as the next generation of paratroopers passed out at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

Herbert Marsh, 92, was guest of honour at the parade that saw members of the Breville Platoon, named in honour of the battle, pass off in front of hundreds of friends and relatives.

The platoon of 21 paratroopers have completed 28 weeks of training and will join 2 Para.

“These young men have worked hard for the last six months and they deserve what they have achieved today,” said Mr Marsh who served with the mortar platoon of 12th Yorkshire Battalion The Parachute Regiment.