One of Britain's smallest soldiers receives France's highest honour

Bob Roberts, 92, who at 5 feet 3 inches tall may be one of Britain's smallest soldiers, was counted among the bravest too. He has been awarded the Legion d'honneur for his role in freeing France from the Nazis, as he survived a bomb blast and a sniper's bullet that grazed his temple during World War II.

Roberts, who grew up in Canada, joined the army as corporal back in 1942. Immediately, he was shifted to Britain and later he fought in France against the Nazis, where he almost died. A day after Robert took up his position, his younger brother, Ernie, died on the battlefield.

In the battlefield, he was famously photographed taking the surrender of Germany's tallest soldier, Jakob Nacken, who stood at a staggering height of 7 feet 6 inches. "I didn't take a lot of notice of this guy at the time. I just passed the prisoners on one after the other after searching them. But my mates who were watching the rest of the men saw this giant of a guy approach me and I was aware they and the Germans were having a good laugh," Roberts said.

France's highest honour has been awarded to Roberts after his daughter wrote to the Ministry of Defence six months ago. Roberts' Legion d'honneur medal came in by post without ceremony. "I thought it was never going to come and was a bit surprised when it arrived recorded delivery in the post. But I am glad it has and I feel very lucky and privileged to have it. I just doing my bit in the war and was very lucky a number of times. I think that if you are entitled to it you should have it without having to beg or chase after it," Roberts told the Telegraph.

Roberts, who fought on D-Day, is one of the 3,000 surviving Allied servicemen to be presented the prestigious Legion d'honneur.