Emotional return as D Day vet goes back to France (From Warrington Guardian)

Emotional return as D Day vet goes back to France

"ALL the dead bodies just lying there. I'll never forget it."

Pensioner Bernard Morgan poignantly reflects on the terrifying moment he landed on Gold Beach in Normandy in 1944.

Bernard, of Manor Way in Crewe, was just 20-years-old when he put his life on the line for his country at the climax of World War II.

Now aged 82, the RAF veteran will be returning to the historic site next week to remember his fallen comrades on the 62nd anniversary of the D Day landings.

He will present a commemorative vase on behalf of Crewe and Nantwich people to the Mayor of Arromanches and has been invited to give a presentation at a local school.

Bernard said: "I worked on the code and cypher side of things - like the Enigma but on our side - in the RAF.

"I can still remember that day very clearly, especially in recent years when I've been talking about it more with the anniversaries and special events.

"All the dead bodies just lying there. That was the most upsetting thing to see.

"I was only 20 at the time of the landings, and like many others at that age, I'd never seen a dead body before but here they were, all piled up.

"They had all been lying there from the morning and even more had been washed in from the sea.

"It was such a sad sight. I'll never forget it."

As part of his week-long stay, Bernard will visit the British cemetery at Bayeux and the D Day museum.

He is looking forward to meeting some of the area's youngsters when he presents a talk at a local school.

The 82-year-old said: "This is always a sad and sombre occasion because you see the graves of your former colleagues.

"The talk at the school will be interesting because a lot of their grandparents had a particularly rough time during the war."

Bernard is no stranger to public appreciation and spends his time touring Crewe schools to talk about his war-time experiences.

He also takes centre stage at the prestigious Imperial War Museum in London, where a glass case of memorabilia is dedicated to him.

He said: "I've got a contract with them until 2007 for them to display my uniform and other bits in my own case.

"Whenever I've been to see it it's interesting talking to children and they all want to shake your hand and even have your autograph. It's all very embarrassing!"