One of Cumbria’s last remaining Normandy veterans has ‘ended his final battle’.

Albert Madine, from Whitehaven, died on Friday, at the age of 94.

Mr Madine’s son, Darren, said he remembers his father as being truly fearless.

“When you are young, you look at your father as superman,” he said. “When you grow up you realise he is, he just didn’t need a cape. He has done well.”

Mr Madine was one of the first soldiers to be landed on D-Day. He fought his way from sword beach inland to the town of Caen, seeing the destruction there first hand.

At just 18-years-old he was forced to grow up quickly, describing a situation to his son where he was forced to motivate another soldier to pick up a gun and carry on the fight.

Mr Madine received the highest French order of merit for military – the Legion d’Honneur – in 2016.

Ian Fisher, county vice chairman for the Royal British Legion said: “He is the last of the few that we can thank for our freedom. I bet he had great stories to tell.”

A spokesperson for the British Legion added: “We were all saddened to hear of Albert’s passing and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

“Albert played a significant part as one of the first troops to land on Sword Beach on D-Day.”

Mr Madine joined the armed forces in Workington in 1944.

He served in the 5th battalion of Seaforth Highlanders and had the honour of wearing the Sutherland kilt and the clan’s wildcat badge.

Born at Quay Street, Whitehaven, Mr Madine returned to the town after his army postings. He had five children with his late wife Trevena: Darren, Diana, Rachel, Belinda and Deborah.