A war hero from Castle Cary has been awarded France’s highest military honour at the age of 105. Sydney “John” Maskell was yesterday (Tuesday) awarded the Legion d’Honneur Medal by the French Government.
It is France’s highest military and civil distinction, in recognition of his outstanding service during the D-Day landings and the Liberation of France in World War II.
Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton Sarah Dyke tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament to celebrate Mr Maskell’s achievement, highlighting his courage and sacrifice in the defence of freedom and democracy.
In the motion, Ms Dyke expressed profound gratitude for Mr Maskell’s valour, stating: “In an era marked by the troubling rise of fascism and authoritarianism around the world, the sacrifices made by Mr Maskell and all veterans, serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring need to protect peace.”
In addition to championing Mr Maskell’s wartime contributions, Ms Dyke brought his personal challenges to the attention of Parliament last week, advocating for urgent reform of the broken social care system and for the Government to speed up its social care review.
She said: “The care system is broken, and it particularly affects rural areas such as Glastonbury and Somerton. For example, a resident in Castle Cary, a 105-year-old D-Day veteran, is facing moving care homes due to high care costs. This will have a negative impact on his health, wellbeing and quality of life.”
Mr Maskell receiving his medal
(Image: Sarah Dyke)
Ms Dyke became involved after Mr Maskell’s daughter contacted her, sharing concerns about increasing care home costs forcing her father to have to move, disrupting his life and wellbeing. In response, Ms Dyke raised awareness of his case both locally and nationally and was delighted when Mr Maskell’s adult social care funding was agreed.
The story gained significant attention highlighting Mr. Maskell’s extraordinary life and service. The BBC also provided his family with footage of Mr Maskell from their archives, offering a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy.
Commenting on the award and her ongoing advocacy for social care reform, Sarah Dyke MP said: “John Maskell is a true hero whose bravery and sacrifice have left an indelible mark on history. It is a privilege to celebrate his remarkable life and his well-deserved recognition by the French Government.
“However, his situation underscores the urgent need for a social care system that treats our elderly population with the respect and dignity they deserve. The current system is failing due to years of underfunding. I will continue to push for urgent reform so that our older people can be supported with the dignity they deserve.”
Join Somerset Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Somerset Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Somerset Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.