World War II veteran Cpl Alfred Barlow received the Legion d’Honneur from the French Consulate at an awards ceremony in the Council Chambers in Stockport Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon, 73 years after he helped to liberate France during the Second World War.


Flanked by his old comrades, family and friends, Alfred was presented with the Legion d’Honneur by the French consulate, Monsieur Rodolphe Soulard,  in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport (Councillor Chris Gordon and Dr Margaret Gordon)

The Legion d’Honneur is the highest honour that the French Government can confer on a foreign national.  Alfred has been recognised for his efforts in the Normandy campaign.

At the age of 22, in June 1944, Alfred landed on Sword beach with his regiment The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.  Alfred’s responsibility was to ensure military vehicles remained mobile and were recovered and repaired if necessary.  Alfred also actively participated in Operations Charnwood and Goodwood.

Alfred returned to England and married the love of his life Maisie and worked in Cheadle Hulme for William Arnold on Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars. Alfred and Maisie moved to Romiley where Alfred started his own garage, which was very successful. He also built his own house by hand, in which he still lives.

Despite working hard in the garage, building a home and raising a family, Alfred started a charity.  It was called RESCARE.  It provided care and accommodation for those with mental health difficulties in the south Stockport area.  It is a huge credit to Alfred and his efforts that the charity is still running and providing the same care and attention that he and his colleagues aspired to several years ago.
 Cllr. Chris Gordon, the Mayor of Stockport said “This is an incredible honour and a source of great pride for not only Alfred and his family, but the citation read by the French Honorary Consul also recognised the part played in the conflict by his comrades in the Normandy Veterans Association. It is especially meaningful for the Borough of Stockport to have amongst our citizens the recipient of France’s highest honour”.