THEIR bravery separated by a 100 years, two Alton heroes – Ernest George Horlock VC and Cecil ‘Pop’ Chandler – were honoured with the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest order for military and civil merits.

Also at the ceremony, held at the town’s Cairn War Memorial on April 15 and presided over by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, and Captain Francois Jane, Port Manager de France-Brighton, were Alton mayor Pam Jones, her consort John Jones, members of the district and town councils, former servicemen and standard bearers from the Alton branch of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Forces Association.

RAF veteran Cecil ‘Pop’ Chandler, 92, from Holybourne, flew in Lancaster bombers to support the liberation of France during the June 1944 D-Day landings.

First World War veteran Ernest George Horlock, who was born in Beech, was awarded his VC for manning his field gun at Marne, France, on September 15, 1914, against the advancing Germans after the rest of his crew had been killed. He was wounded twice but refused to leave his post.

Mrs Jones said: “Warrant Officer Cecil Chandler, known as Pop to his friends, served in the RAF from 1942 to 1978, a full career of 36 years. Through the War years he flew in Sterling and Lancaster bombers as an engineer with 15 Squadron and was involved on the ill-fated raid over Nuremberg on 30 March 1944 when his aircraft was badly damaged by enemy ME 109 fighters.

“In April 1944 warrant officer Chandler and his crew were involved in another bombing mission over Germany which drew enemy fire from the ground and the air resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft, the death of two crew and a crash landing back in England.

“While operating out of RAF Mildenhall with 622 Squadron, Warrant Officer Chandler was involved in the ‘D-Day’ operations over France. He and his crew successfully completed their mission to neutralise the heavy guns at Ouistreham, on the Normandy coast. On the same day they were actively involved in an attack on enemy communications sites at Lisieux, in France. During his flying operations warrant officer Chandler survived 11 separate enemy fighter attacks, one crash landing, had his parachute harness blown from his body by enemy flak and witnessed more than 50 Allied bombers shot down. He escaped injury each time.

“After the war warrant officer Chandler became an air traffic controller and served in the UK and Germany and between 1959 and 1961 enjoyed a posting to Orange in the South of France where he made life-long friends with a family.”

Then, she said, a few years ago the United Grand Lodge in London put out a nationwide appeal for Second World War veterans.

She explained how fellow Holybourne man Dave Andrews had heard about it and his daughter, Sally, approached the French Embassy submitting forms accompanied by Pop’s military history. Nothing was heard for a couple of years, but a few months ago they heard that he was to receive the Legion of Honour. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction and Mr Chandler has been awarded the highest, the Chevalier (Knight).

Before presenting him with his medal, Captain Francois Jean said: “We are in Alton for a very special occasion and I am grateful to pay tribute as France remembers those of Bomber Command and also all those of the Royal Air Force, the army and navy, who fought in the battlefields of the First World War to the beaches of France in the Second World War to protect freedom and democracy.

“You are true heroes and we in France will never forget what you have done and you will be forever in our hearts and in our lives.”

Mr Chandler said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I am proud to be associated with George Horlock and it brings tears to my eyes when we remember how he won his VC.

“I wish I had the oratory skills of Winston Churchill but I did love one of his phrases: “It warms the cockles of my heart” and that is what is happening to me today. I feel very proud to be here with such a distinguished group of people.”

The Lord Lieutenant paid tribute to Mr Chandler and explained the reason for the ceremony. France has now decided to recognise all those who fought for the liberation of their country, the role of the bomber crews and the part “Pop” Chandler played in it.

“Also remembering the loyalty and fellowship of all air craft crews. Sir, many congratulations from the people of Hampshire for the role you played in protecting our freedom.”