A D-DAY war hero, who was awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur, has died at the age of 98.

Ian Godfrey Neilson, of Marlborough, died at the Brendoncare Froxfield care home on January 20.

He was born in Glasgow to parents James and Marion Neilson on December 4, 1918, and he had one brother, Hugh.

After excelling at school in both sports and his studies, he went on to read law at Glasgow University and graduated with a degree in Scottish Law and forensics medicine in 1939.

When the Second World War started, he was part of the territorial army and then the 127 Highland Artillery Field Regiment but soon after he found himself wanting to have a bigger part to play in the war.

When an opportunity arose to join an air observation post that aided both the RAF and the army in 1940, he leapt at the chance.

Here he flew in an Auster plane, which was a high-winged monoplane light aircraft which was used for observation runs to report and guide the Allied forces about where to attack and where to avoid.

He continued to fly, something he said was the best feeling ever, in these planes right up until the end of the D-Day landings.

In 1945 he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

Due to his law studies, he was then recruited to join crime investigation units after the war, where he went on to become a Lieutenant Colonel.

On May 9, 1945, the day after VE day, he got married to Alison Aytoun, a hospital social worker, in Birmingham.

They went on to have two children, Hamish, 1949, and Catherine in 1951 and, after moving from Glasgow, to Edinburgh and then Surrey because of their careers, they settled in Marlborough in 1983.

Lt Col Neilson, who was awarded his Legion d'Honneur in July 2015, was a very active and busy man and joined many societies relating to the armed forces, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Boys Brigade, the Royal Yachting Association and much more.

Whilst in Marlborough, he signed up to the choral society, he edited the magazine Tower and Town and he also found time to write two books as well, an autobiography and another about his time at the Air Observation Post.

"He lived a very varied and interesting life and he was a great role model," said his son Hamish. "He was much loved and will be missed."

Lt Col Neilson is survived by his wife, two children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A celebration service is taking place at Christchurch, New Road, Marlborough, on February 18 at 3pm. Donations for the Museum of Army Flying, St Peter and St Paul's Trust or the Brendoncare Foundation c/o Thomas Free & Sons, The Parade, Marlborough.