THIS IS one of the most iconic images of the Second World War and the invasion that ultimately proved decisive.

It shows the First Bucks, a territorial battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, landing on Sword Beach on June 6 1944, and pictured on the right, organising troops, is Bill Adams, 89, from Bicester.

Witney Gazette:

Bill Adams pictured in 1943

He and his comrades had to disembark into the sea a quarter of a mile from the shore then wade up to the beach holding on to a rope.

When he thinks about it today, it still makes him feel queasy.

This year, he and his wife Cynthia have gone to the D-Day ceremony in Southsea, not far from the point he left England for France on that day 70 years ago.

Witney Gazette:

Bill Adams today

Mr Adams, now a member of the Woodstock branch of the Royal British Legion, told his story to our reporter Andy Ffrench. You can read about his and others deeds during the Normandy invasion in our special 24-page D-Day supplement.

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