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D-Day veteran, 102, launches book about his life

Lee BottomleyNantwich
BBC An older man, in a military cap, with numerous badges and medals on his blazer, salutes at the camera. There is a poster behind him featuring his name and a picture of himBBC
Bernard Morgan was the youngest RAF sergeant to take part in the Normandy landings

A D-Day veteran who was the youngest RAF sergeant to take part in the Normandy landings has had a book about his life published.

World War Two code breaker Bernard Morgan, from Crewe, Cheshire, who received a telegram announcing the German surrender, was made an MBE in the New Year Honours in recognition of his services to volunteering and history.

The book about the 102-year-old, written by two local historians, is called a Century of Memories.

"It's very kind of them to take the trouble, and I hope that the younger generation will read it and understand how the soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen and civilians gave their lives for the freedom we have today," said Morgan.

An older man, with numerous badges and medals on his blazer, is sat at a desk, smiling. In front and to the side of him are copies of his book, called Bernard Morgan, A Century of Memories
Bernard Morgan signed copies of the book at a launch event in Nantwich, Cheshire

The frontline code breaker, who has previously been awarded with a number of military medals – including a Légion d'Honneur from the French government - said he did not like to be called a hero, as the heroes were the ones who gave their lives.

"I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time," he said.

The book, written by Crewe and Nantwich military researchers Mark Potts and Tony Marks, had been more than two years in the making.

"We just couldn't believe that nobody had done Bernard Morgan's life story," said Potts, adding that the project began by posting a letter through the veteran's door requesting permission.

But it was about three months later when they had a response, as Morgan had had a fall and had been in hospital.

Two men in white t-shirts, stand next to each other outside a book shop, and are smiling. One has a Crewe Alex FC logo on his top.
Crewe and Nantwich military researchers Tony Marks and Mark Potts wrote the book

The book was based on "many" interviews, starting in January 2024, as well as the "meticulous" diaries he kept.

Morgan, who was born in Longsight, Manchester, moved to Crewe aged 13, so the book is split into the different sections of his life, and also includes the decades he spent as a turnstile operator at Crewe Alexandra FC.

It had all been ready to publish when there was "some wonderful news" of the veteran's MBE, so the final few paragraphs had to be tweaked, said Potts, adding it had been a great honour for them to be able to write the story.

A woman with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a pink top, smiles at the camera
Brenda Cogswell volunteers at the Imperial War Museum North

Brenda Cogswell, who volunteers at the Imperial War Museum North, where Morgan is a regular visitor to speak about his D-Day experiences, said the publication was amazing.

"This is a living legend, this is somebody that was there on the day," she said of Morgan.

The book was his "act of remembrance" to fallen comrades, she added.

All profits from the sale of the book are going to the Royal British Legion.

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