A HEREFORD veteran who fought in the Second World War has died, aged 95.

Reg Robins received France’s highest military award, the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, in 2015 in recognition of his part in the liberation of France during the war.

He passed away peacefully at home on December 29 in St Guthlac Street with his family.

His family believe that Mr Robins was the last surviving soldier of the First Battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment, which he joined in March 1938.

He was just 16 when he joined but told the recruiting officer he was 17 and a half.

By 1942 the First Battalion had been selected along with the Fourth Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and the Third Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment to form the 11th Armoured Division. Their divisional badge was a charging black bull.

Mr Robins was a Platoon Sergeant by the time they left for France to fight for King and country.

His three elder brothers, Bill, Ted and Tom joined in early 1939 and they were all together in the first battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment. All four brothers survived the war.

Mr Robins was wounded twice- first in France with flesh wounds but after 24 hours he was back in action.

It was on the borders of Germany where he was hit again in 1944, as was his brother Bill. A week later they were flown home.

The nerves in his arm were damaged- which despite numerous operations- never recovered.

Mr Robins was president of the Hereford north branch of The Royal British Legion. He had two daughters with his wife, Joyce, who survives him.

Speaking to the Hereford Times in December 2015, Mr Robins said: "People in Herefordshire should be proud of the regiment- they did a marvellous job in the war and were always against the hot stuff."