A 101-year-old D-Day veteran from Lancaster is to be granted the Honorary Freedom of the City - one of the highest civic distinctions.
Richard Brock will become only the seventh recipient this millennium, recognising his extraordinary service during World War II.
Mr Brock enlisted with the East Lancashire Regiment in 1943 and on June 8, 1944, after his ship was delayed by fierce weather, he landed on Gold Beach in Normandy two days after D-Day.
He fought through the bitter struggle for Caen before joining Operation Market Garden in Holland, where he saw action at Arnhem - the battle immortalised in the flm A Bridge Too Far – and by the winter of 1944, he was locked in fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
He witnessed unimaginable scenes of horror and death at Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp when driving an interpreter to the deadly camp two days after it was liberated.
His war ended in Hamburg, where he remained with the occupation forces until returning home in 1947 – only one of 19 to survive of the 130 men in his company.
The French Legion d’Honneur was bestowed on him for his role in liberating France.
Councillors approved the honour at a Lancaster City Council meeting on Wednesday.
“Richard Brock is a local war hero and is believed to be the last surviving member of the East Lancs Regiment," said Councillor Margaret Pattison, mayor of Lancaster.
Mr Brock is pictured below with Margaret Pattison (right), and her daughter Charlotte (centre)
“He gave so much of his life for his country that to bestow this honour seems entirely appropriate.”
The Freedom of the City is a rare honour, reserved for those who have rendered eminent services to Lancaster or the district.
Previous recipients include Councillor Abbot Bryning in 2023 and Cedric Robinson, Queen’s Guide To The Sands, in 2014.
While largely ceremonial today, the tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when Freemen enjoyed commercial privileges and influence in civic affairs.
Mr Brock will be formally presented with the award at a special meeting of the council in the New Year.
Read more: INTERVIEW: D-Day veteran from Lancaster, 99, tells his incredible World War 2 story - Beyond Radio
Safer Pod launched to make Lancaster safer during ‘Winter of Action’
Police make two arrests after pedestrian critically injured in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: Beyond Radio helps Santa deliver presents from annual Christmas Toy Appeal
Modern day mixtape to help fund reopening of Lancaster music facility
Police investigate Lancaster hate crime graffiti attacks
Lancaster man jailed again days after being released from prison
Royal Lancaster Infirmary ward reopens to visitors following norovirus outbreak
Future of Lancaster day care facility left unclear after council announcement
Police appeal to help find missing teenager with Lancaster links
Pedestrian critically injured in hit and run in Morecambe
Have you say on how £20m is to be spent in Morecambe’s West End
Lancashire Police issue warning to light fingered festive felons
Three Morecambe Bay midwives among first to graduate from new apprenticeship programme
Lancaster MP grills Prime Minister over changes to farm inheritance tax
Paedophile who filmed himself having sex with teenage girls in Lancaster jailed
"Important new site for jobs" at Lancaster University gets green light
New 80-house development near Lancaster gets thumbs up
Man arrested more than 3x over the limit during Christmas drink driving crackdown in Morecambe
Cutting-edge science combines with history to unlock secrets of Lancaster’s past
