A veteran of the 1944 Normandy campaign from Radlett has died at the age of 89.

At 19, Ernie Brewer landed on Gold Beach on D-Day - one of thousands to wade ashore through a hail of bullets and artillery fire.

Serving in the 7th Armoured Division, Mr Brewer was part of the second wave of the operation to gain a foothold in France and ultimately drive out the occupying German forces.

The Willow Way resident took part in fierce fighting for months among the fields and hedgerows of northern France.

He served with the Royal Horse Artillery until the very end of the war, suffering a severe head wound and losing his best friend on his journey through France, Holland and Germany - a journey which took him to the Bergen Belsen concentration camp the day after its liberation.

Mr Brewer was honoured for his war efforts, becoming a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 2009 aged 84.

He was an active member of St Albans branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, serving as secretary.

Staunchly anti-war, Mr Brewer devoted the rest of his working life to public service and helping others.

He worked for many years in local government for the London Borough of Brent.

His wife of 56 years Jean said: "He always said when he came out the army he wanted to do something for people and that’s why he went into local government.

"I think he achieved what he wanted there.

"He had a great sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge. He had the kind of brain where he could read things and remember them.

"He could talk to anybody about anything."

Mr Brewer’s funeral will be on Monday, June 2, at 1.20pm at Garston Crematorium.