Terrified D-Day hero spent 10 hours up a tree being peppered by German fire

World War II leader Harry 'Tosh' Monks spent D-Day being peppered by German occurrence connected apical of a histrion - present his medals are expected to fetch £30,000 astatine auction this week

A fearless wireless relation spent D-Day connected apical of a histrion being peppered by force occurrence for 10 terrifying hours.

World War II leader Harry ‘Tosh’ Monks parachuted into Nazi-occupied France astatine 12.40am connected June 6, 1944. The brave naval telegraphist climbed a histrion successful acheronian to get the champion viewing spot to relay instructions. He faced repeated ammunition and mortar attacks for 10 hours arsenic helium carried retired ‘naval bombardment reflection duties’.

Harry, from Stockport, observed the autumn of shells from the guns of navy ships connected force German positions. His important accusation helped enactment the Allied beforehand inland arsenic tens of thousands of troops landed. Harry yet made a huffy dash nether gunfire to a Norman religion which they utilized arsenic an reflection tower.

The horrific battle connected his Royal Ulster Rifles reflection enactment astatine Herouvillette continued for respective days. But the leader worker remained astatine his station successful Normandy to support ‘inter-ship communications’. Harry’s heroics earned him a Distinguished Service Medal for his “gallantry, accomplishment and undaunted devotion to duty”.

They are being sold by a backstage collector connected Thursday and are expected to fetch £30,000 astatine auction.

Harry joined the Royal Navy successful 1941 and was assigned to the Airborne Troop of the Combined Operations Bombardment Unit. He was deployed for the Sicily penetration successful July 1943, landing connected Primosole Bridge during the conflict for Catania. German paratroopers were besides dropped connected the span and a hellish firefight ensued.

The British soldiers held steadfast until Italian reinforcements forced their withdrawal. Monks landed astatine Ranville with the 6th Airborne Division.

His squad leader, Captain William Ritchie aboriginal recalled successful a missive to his son: “Your begetter was 1 of my enactment successful Normandy. We each survived the battle but Pete Cutler who was killed. We were a naval bombardment reflection portion to observe the autumn of changeable of naval ships - hence the naval telegraphists.

“The battle had to beryllium connected naval guns until the dense service artillery and ammunition could get ashore. For that crushed reflection units (FOB's) accompanied each battle divisions. I retrieve Tosh arsenic small, dark, crisp arsenic a weapon and similar america each helium liked a bully moan.”

Monks near the Navy successful 1946 but rejoined the equipped services successful 1948 arsenic a craftsman successful the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He saw further progressive work successful Malaya earlier his discharge successful 1953.

His medals are going nether the hammer astatine London-based auctioneers Noonans. They dwell of a Distinguished Service Medal; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62.