The solemn but proud commemorations of the 75th anniversary of D-Day will be marked at veterans charity Erskine by an ex-sailor who was there when history was made.
Robert Johnston, 96, remembers vividly the part he played in the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
He was a gunner on HMS Scylla, when he headed to France.
PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS: Live news as it happens
On D-Day the Dido-class cruiser of the Royal Navy was the flagship for the Eastern Task Group, providing fire support for the British beaches of Gold, Sword and Juno.
Mr Johnston was just a boy at the time when he took part in what was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
He said: “No, I wasn’t frightened – I was only 20.”
The operation began the liberation of German-occupied France and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.
It saw many young servicemen such as Robert play their part and risk their lives for the freedom of their country.
Mr Johnston said: “We were protecting the open boats as they were being targeted by German gunners.
“We were told: ‘Scylla, see what you can do there.’ We went along and we knocked them out and the big cheers came up.
“I felt no emotion as I fired the shells and they reached their targets.
“There were so many lost there was no time for emotion.”
Erskine chief executive Ian Cumming said: “D-Day is a very significant date as the home remembers those like Mr Johnston who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we could all live in freedom.
“Erskine is honoured to care for our country’s veterans, some of whom – like Robert – saw active service in the Second World War and who fought for our nation’s very survival.
“On anniversaries such as D-Day, we remember all those who bravely gave their lives, and we honour their memory by caring for those that did return.”
