Woman, 104, receives France's highest military honour for D-Day role

Evelyn Armstrong has been recognised with France's highest military honour

A 104-year-old woman has received the Legion d'Honneur - France's highest military honour - for her service in World War Two.

Evelyn Armstrong was presented with the medal by members of the French Consulate in Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders at the weekend.

Originally from Whalley near Burnley, Evelyn was part of the Women's Auxillary Air Force and served at RAF Tangmere in West Sussex.

She worked as a plotter helping to plan the Dambuster raids and D-Day landings, directing aircrafts for Operation Overlord.

The medal was sent by the French Ambassador to the UK, Mme Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, who thanked Evelyn for her "vital role" in the liberation of France.

While serving as a plotter during the D-Day landings in June 1944, Evelyn was responsible for tracking the movements of 617 squadron.

The squadron would go back and forth across the English Channel dropping what was called "window" - thin strips of aluminium foiled dropped in precise formations to confuse German radar.

Evelyn received the honour for her work during World War Two

The operation created the impression of a vast invasion fleet heading for Calais rather than Normandy, drawing enemy forces in the wrong direction.

It is now recognised as one of the key deception tactics that helped secure the success of Operation Overlord and the liberation of France.

A statement from the French Consulate said Evelyn's efforts during the war merited recognition.

"She made a vital contribution at RAF Tangmere in West Sussex during the D-Day landings," it said.

"Mrs Evelyn Armstrong has been awarded the Légion d'Honneur, France's highest military honour which recognises her military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War."