Frank Poole, a Second World War Veteran living in Victoria, received the Legion of Honour on June 20.
A Second World War veteran who served as an air gunner with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) received France’s highest national award in Victoria on Tuesday.
Frank Poole was an air gunner with bomber command. In 1945, he piloted the Halifax Heavy Bomber 4 engine and completed seven missions when his plane was shot down over Hanover, Germany.
He was part of the deception plan operation fortitude over the D-Day beaches on the night of the landings. Poole was captured and was a prisoner of war until he was set free when the war ended.
Poole was acknowledged for his contribution in liberating France and received the French National Order of the Legion of Honour at the Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead. The Legion of Honour is the top medal for military service. In commemoration of last year’s 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, medals have been awarded to veterans in recognition of their personal involvement in the liberation of France.
Poole is a member of the Veterans Health Center at the Veterans Memorial Lodge. He has been a participant of the Veterans program at the lodge for the last 15 years.
Frank Poole (right), a Second World War Veteran living in Victoria, received the Legion of Honour on June 20.
Alexa Huffman
