A WAR veteran who took part in the largest seaborne invasion in history has marked its anniversary - 73 years ago today - with family and friends.

Lesley Walton was on a motor gun boat during the D-Day landings, which marked the start of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Northern France during the Second World War.

The operation took place on June 6, 1944 and began the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.

The 91-year-old was just 17 when he signed up to play his part in the Second World War in 1942.

“I was told I was too young to serve six months earlier, but I later joined HMS Collingwood for three months training,” he recalled.

“After the landings, I was posted to Scotland to board a submarine, but an ear condition prevented me from doing so.

“When the war ended in 1945, I was charged with finding Japanese prisoners of war on the islands around Hong Kong.”

Following the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, Mr Walton was awarded the Legion d’Honneur – the highest French order of merit for military personnel.

The French government has been awarding the honour to D-Day veterans from many different countries for several years, as a way of honouring and thanking those who fought and risked their lives to secure France’s liberation during the war.

The D-Day operation saw tens of thousands of troops landing along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast.

More than 4,000 Allied soldiers died during the invasion, which also resulted in more than 10,000 casualties.

Mr Walton, who was born in Stockton, was one of eight children in his family, which was made up of seven boys and one girl.

He was later married and had three children with his wife Hilda Walton, who passed away eight years ago.

“My father and elder brothers all served in the military during the war,” he added.

After leaving the Navy, he worked in the energy industry – in a gas power plant – before moving to work for Teesside chemical company ICI.

Mr Walton was admitted to The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane in Stockton, in April last year.

The home, along with all Hill Care Group homes from across the North East, ran remembrance activities with residents yesterday to mark the anniversary of the landings.

Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “Many of our residents remember the war from their childhood, or growing up in the aftermath.

“Like Lesley, some of our older residents even served in the conflict, so it is important for us to help them commemorate the day, and remember the sacrifices so many made during that time.”

John Drury, deputy manager, added: “Lesley enjoys talking about his time in the war and he is really proud of it.

“He likes to get his medals out regularly and show them to everyone, and his family come regularly to visit him,” he added.