A BOMBER pilot who carried out a critical mission during the D-Day landings has died, aged 95.

Leslie Valentine was an RAF bomber pilot of 88 Squadron sent to drop smoke bombs on Juno Beach during the Battle of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord.

Oxford Mail:

Leslie Valentine

His mission was to cover advancing allied forces as they stormed the beaches.

As he swooped just 50ft above ground in his Douglas Boston E Easy light bomber, he was forced to dodge fire from all directions.

But he survived the mission, returning base to tell the tale.

His actions that day would later be immortalised in a painting by artist Michael Turner, called Friendly Smoke. The artist later visited Mr Valentine who signed the painting.

Leslie Valentine was born in Dennistoun, Glasgow, on May 14, 1918 to parents Dr Leslie and Katherine Valentine.

Oxford Mail:

(From left) David Cameron chats to Leslie Valentine

He attended the High School of Glasgow for boys from 1923 to 1936, where his son Dudley was also to enroll in 1946.

In 1935 he met Vera Ward at Whitecraigs Lawn Tennis and Sports Club, Glasgow, and they married on May 17, 1938.

The couple had their first child, Una, on December 4.

That same year, Mr Valentine went to study medicine at the University of Glasgow.

But by September 1939 he was called up into service in the 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry and was sent to France.

Arriving back, a notice to troops had been left asking for volunteers to join the RAF and he signed up.

In 1941 he was sent to Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada, for his training, returning to Britain, for operations training at RAF Bicester, then RAF Finmere, learning to fly Blenheim and Boston bombers.

By 1942 he was regularly deployed on missions for 88 Sqdn, 2nd Tactical Air Force, Bomber Command, across France and Germany, carrying out attacks on German supply lines, V1 rocket launching sites, marshalling yards, gun enplacements and submarine pens.

Oxford Mail:

Leslie Valentine with his medals

In one stint he undertook an impressive 60 consecutive combat missions.

Following D-Day he was made to take time off from combat and instead transported high-ranking officials in Auster planes around Europe for the RAF, based out of Denmark.

His actions during the war would later be recognised by the French in 1944, when they awarded him one of their highest military honours, the Croix de Guerre (cross of war) with Silver Star.

After the war he returned to Glasgow to live with his family, including his son Dudley, born in 1942, and continue his university education.

He switched to physiotherapy and worked as a physiotherapist for 10 years, before taking a job in 1955 with pharmaceutical firm Abbott Laboratories as a salesman and then an area manager. He later took a job with GD Searle, now known as Monsato, also as a manager and stayed there until 1983 when he retired aged 65.

In 1987 he and his wife moved to their home in Hethe where Mr Valentine pursued his interests of golf, reading and antiques collecting. He also finally received his Defence Medal at Downing Street, 16 months ago, from David Cameron for his service in France with the Highland Light Infantry.

A mix-up, highlighted in a radio interview, meant that he had not been awarded it because he had signed up for the RAF while part of the Army.

He spent the final four months of his life being cared for in Fewcott House Nursing Home, Fewcott.

Leslie Valentine died on Monday April 22, following a period of illness.

He is survived by his son, his daughter and grandchildren David, 40, and Alistair, 21. His wife died in 2012.

A funeral will be held at Banbury Crematorium on May 7 at 1pm, and all who knew him are welcome. Donations should be sent to the RAF Benevolent Fund.