A CHAXHILL man has learnt his Canadian uncle, who was a Second World War veteran, has received a prestigious honour for his service.

Horace Cook says he is delighted that his 96-year-old uncle has been recognised by the French government for his service in helping to liberate France.

James Edward Fisher, of Chatham, Ontario was recently awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour. Mr Fisher was a corporal in the 'B' squadron of the 1st Hussars armoured unit and never expected any honour.

After the war ended he came to Gloucester to study engineering and in 1947 he married a Newent girl, Mary Ethel Pinchin who is now 92. She was one of ten children born to a gardener living in Church Street. The couple settled in Ontario where they were involved in property management and they started a nursing home. They have two daughters. The Fishers last visited Gloucestershire in 1972 but many local relatives still keep in touch with them.

Horace purchased the Oxenhall DVD as a celebration gift to send to his uncle Jim to remind him of life in a rural community in England. Produced by the Oxenhall History Group, and available from Memento Gifts and from Andy and Char's Farm Shop in Newent, it records life and work in the woods and on the farms through four seasons.

The beautiful scenery reminded Horace of his own youth when he enjoyed roaming along the canal towpath and he recalled 'delivering bread to the farms and cottages in the area'.