EX-SERVICEMEN and members of the public came together to remember one of Britain’s greatest soldiers Major John Howard.

The war hero led British airborne forces on a daring raid on June 6, 1944, to capture Pegasus Bridge, a mission that would prove crucial to the success of the D-Day landings.

Former Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry men and members of the Royal Green Jackets Association attended a service at the veteran’s graveside in Clifton Hampden, near Abingdon, on Saturday.

Among them were three D-Day veterans of the 52nd Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, Sam Langford, Pat Turner and Frank Hall.

Mr Hall, who was in the 6th Airborne Division, said: “It was really nice, I’m 92 now and you don’t know how many years you have got left. It’s nice to remember the ones you were serving with.

“It was good to have a natter with the other veterans and share stories.

“I was in HQ company and Major Howard commanded D company but we knew most of the officers and he was very well-liked and respected in the regiment.”

Commanding the 6th Airborne Division of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Maj Howard captured two vital road bridges of the Orne and Caen canal – the latter known as Pegasus Bridge – which prevented German troops heading to the Normandy beaches.

Among exhibits at the Pegasus Bridge museum is Maj Howard’s helmet – complete with a bullet hole which did no further damage than leave a scar on his scalp – a lasting memory that Mr Hall said gave his comrade plenty of pleasure.

He said: “When he saw it there he just used to laugh about it.

“He reckoned the German was a bad shot.”

The ceremony, which first took place on last year’s 70th anniversary of D-Day, was once again organised by The Royal Green Jackets Association Oxford Branch.

Chairman Terry Roper, who opened the ceremony, said: “It was very well supported, there were about 40 people, mostly ex-servicemen from Ox and Bucks Light Infantry and RGJ.

“It was very touching to see the three D-Day veterans paying their respects to their former CO by his grave.”

The service was conducted by Clifton Hampden’s vicar, the Rev Anne Ilsley, 71 years and 12 hours after Maj Howard’s glider landed in Normandy.

A wreath was laid on his grave by second cousin Derek Chivers at what is now expected to become an annual event.

Mr Roper said: “It’s very important we keep remembering and honour those who made huge sacrifices, as every year there are fewer and fewer veterans left.

“This particular action at Pegasus Bridge was pivotal in the success of D-Day – it was audacious but so successful. It opened the door for the liberation of France and the defeat of Germany, which gave us the freedom we have today.”