The 19-year-old was serving aboard a Royal Navy minesweeper clearing German mines from the approaches to Utah Beach so American forces could land.
Afterwards, he was told about the skies black with aircraft, and about the ranks of battleships far out to sea belching their missiles towards the beach.
But as a young engine room artificer, he saw none of that.
He was buried deep in the bowels of his little ship, which had a crew of just 34.
YOU’LL FIND MORE ON THIS STORY AND OTHERS AT www.yorkpress.co.uk OR PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER ITSELF AVAILABLE SIX DAYS A WEEK AT YOUR LOCAL NEWSAGENT
How to Avoid Festive Parking Issues in York
Line-Up for 2025 York Early Music Christmas Festival
Festive Concert at Ripon Cathedral Raises More Than £6,000 for Charity
The Magic Dentist Charity Wins Private Dentistry Awards
How to Get Fit and Banish the Winter Blues
Santa's Christmas Funland to Return to Harrogate in December
Advent Wreath Raised at York Minster to Mark the Start of the Christmas Season
'I Am' Reusable Food Bank Bumper Christmas Raffle Draw
