A FORMER commando from Coatbridge has received the highest French military honour for his heroic efforts during the D-Day landings.

Sniper Hugh Ewart, 91, was given the Legion d'Honneur medal by the Consul General of France at a special ceremony in Glasgow.

After signing up aged just 17, Mr Ewart served as a sniper in the elite Royal Marine Commando Army and was part of 41 Commando preparing for the D-Day landings.

His troop was held back as re-enforcements.

He went to France about a week after D-Day to replace casualties then moved towards Ostend and met German resistance and retreating German units.

Mr Ewart then went on to Holland before returning to Paris on liberation.

His daughter-in-law, Emma Ewart, said that the former steel worker volunteered to become a commando after his marine training and took part in a gruelling training programme at Achnacarry, near Spean Bridge in the Highlands, in the middle of a harsh winter.

The platoon took part in 30 mile runs through the countryside and were once stranded by a snow storm.

The sniper managed to escape serious injury during combat despite a number of close shaves.

Mrs Ewart, 64, who is married to Hugh's son Andrew and lives in Uddingston, said: "While in Holland one of his comrades was killed beside him.

"He tells stories of, while tracking the German forces, being sent by his troop commander to go and watch them, maybe two miles ahead, for a day or two.

"He would have to hide out in a farm house and make notes on them including how much ammunition they had.

"One time he was in one barn and his comrade in another and the other barn was blown up.

"Hugh had to travel back to his troop alone and tell them.

"They made sure they got their revenge, he says."

Mr Ewart was also involved in the liberation of notorious concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen in northern Germany.

He was responsible for helping all the prisoners on to the trains and out of the camp.

Mrs Ewart added: "These were the trains used to being them to the camp so they were very, very fearful.

"He saw some terrible things there."

When Mr Ewart's service ended he suddenly found himself unable to walk because of a back injury.

But he managed to get back on his feet due to sheer determination and willpower, his daughter-in-law said.

After the war, Hugh married his wife Margaret and settled in Coatbridge. The couple had five children.

The veteran was presented with his honour at the City Chambers yesterday by the Consul General of France Emmanuel Cocher.

Mrs Ewart added: "We are all very proud of Hugh and he is honoured to receive this commendation."