A WAR hero will be made a freeman of his home town of Basildon for his dedicated service to the country.

Don Sheppard, 99, from Laindon, will be honoured as the town’s fourth freeman of the borough in September after councillors announced the move on Armed Forces Day.

Don, who was part of the Normandy landings, still carries a sliver of shrapnel in his lung from a German shell fired on D-Day in June, 1944.

Already a veteran of the North African campaign against Rommel and the tough battles through Sicily, Don’s brigade went in on D-Day in support of the Canadians at Juno Beach.

He said: “I knew I would be leading the salute for Armed Forces Day in Basildon. I was honoured when the mayor mentioned me in his speech.

“I have lived here for 99 years and am very proud of my home town.

“I have seen many changes in my time and feel extremely lucky to have reached this age.

“I am also very proud to represent the borough and will gladly attend any events, if the council wishes.

“I had to make a speech at Armed Forces Day, and was not prepared but am used to public speaking.

“It was a great day and I was so impressed with the cadets, who will go on to protect our country.

“We went to the Beehive pub in Basildon and had a nice pint and port. The landlord gave me a drink for free.”

David Burton-Sampson, mayor of Basildon, met with Mr Sheppard on the day.

He said: “It is especially vital we do this at the time of marking 70 years of Basildon and 75 years since the D-Day landings.

“He has done so much to raise awareness of what happened that day.”

Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council leader, said: “I’m delighted that on this special Armed Forces Day, the Basildon Borough Alliance has announced we are recommending Don Sheppard will be awarded the freedom of the borough.”

Former Basildon Labour MP, Baroness Angela Smith, said: “A great honour for a very special man - and so well deserved.”

n Armed Forces Day picture special - from p25