BATTLE veteran Barry Freeman will have mixed emotions about this weekend's ceremony.

While he will be thinking of his comrades who died 46 years ago on the banks of the River Seine, financial and travelling difficulties mean he will not be able to attend the occasion.

Among the casualties of war he will remember include Bert Smith, of Netherton.

Mr Freeman, 74, of Bilberry Close, Stourport, recalled: "He was shot in the middle of the road and the stretcher bearers rushed out to pick him up.

"All three were gunned down and killed despite the bearers having red cross signs. We were disgusted at the time but it was a long time ago."

The young soldier was aghast to witness the Somerset Light Infantry "cut to pieces" as they tried to cross the river from Vernon to Vernonnet in inflatable boats.

He then had to provide fire cover as his own battalion crossed a partly demolished bridge under a hail of fire from a German spandau machine gun.

Eventually he got across the bridge and joined the assault on Vernonnet.

It was a ferocious battle with the battalion attempting to fight up a steeply sloped and wooded terrain against German guns hidden in the thick undergrowth.

He said: "The Germans had better visibility and were able to pick us off but we had to keep advancing."

His group was slightly away from the main battle but had the important mission of taking out the mighty German Tiger tanks.

He said: "We were firing up the hill and saw a Tiger tank coming down the road.

"We managed to get an anti-tank gun up the road and hit the tank with two rounds - which was the end of that."

The anti-tank gun had destroyed the tank with only the off-side of its hull and turret visible.

However, the group was soon pinned down by an unlocated machine gun and a second tank was able to knock out their gun.

But, the battalion, now backed up by two tanks, fought on and it became a war of attrition with visibility of no more than 20 yards.

Even a grenade-throwing match ensued between two opposing company commanders, all Bren guns firing at the same time.

The battle would be won for Mr Freeman and his crew and he would go on to witness far worse scenes in the advance to Germany.

But he will never forget his fallen comrades at Vernon and this weekend will be both be proud and moved at the memory of 46 years ago.