A D-Day veteran who was shot as he stepped onto the beaches of Normandy and later captured as a prisoner of war has been honoured at the residential care home where he now lives.

Frank Northing enjoyed a celebration high tea at Grantham's The Orders of St John Care Trust Gregory House yesterday (Thurs) to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The 93-year-old, whose wartime heroics resulted in his being awarded France's highest honour the Légion d'honneur, recalls the D-Day landings: "It was a harrowing time for me and my comrades.

"I was 18 years old back then and I remember having to wait for the weather to be 'right' on that Tuesday, 6 June, 1944.

"We were given half a mug of rum for breakfast that morning for Dutch courage and because I don't drink I didn't like it much!

"After that we were all lowered into the water, which was up to our chest, and we waded through with our rifles above their heads."

Almost immediately Frank was shot and eventually found himself on Southampton beach with wounds that needed attention.

At Grantham Hospital, on the military ward, he was the first soldier to be treated with penicillin.

"A month or so later I was discharged from hospital and after a period of recuperation I was sent to Caen in France where I went through Belgium and at the Albert Canal our unit fought the Germans," adds Frank.

He also helped to secure the bridge at Nijmegen in Holland. But during this time, he was captured by the Germans when a tank shell targeting a nearby mansion knocked him out.

He was patched up by a German doctor and soon freed by his advancing comrades.

Louise Kirk, Area Operations Manager, said: "We are really delighted to be able to hold this event to honour Frank.

"It is a cause of huge celebration and of thanks to an individual who was so actively involved in the second world war.

"He stepped onto Normandy Beach as part of the military operation and fought bravely for all our freedom.

"Here at OSJCT we really care and value our residents and aim to create wonderful memories and experiences.

"To hear their stories is inspiring and occasions like this help to support people in a person-centred manner.

"Everyone in Gregory House has been involved with organising this fabulous event and special thanks to them all."

The Orders of St John Care Trust provides care, support and housing to residents and tenants across 70 homes and 14 accommodation schemes across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Suffolk.

OSJCT delivers high quality, dedicated person-centred care for the elderly including dementia, intermediate, respite, day care, and specialised nursing.

A not-for-profit charitable trust, financial surplus is reinvested for the benefit of residents.