FOUR D-Day veterans recalled their heroic exploits as they were honoured on the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Reginald Hewitt, 93, a corporal in the Artillery Service Corps, and 90-year-old-George Durant, who served in the Marines, both of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, attended a special afternoon tea.
They were joined by Bill Hill, 93, of Selston, who was a gunner in the navy and signalman Eddie Wilbraham, 94, of Jacksdale.
George, who was posted to Sword and Juno beach, said: "At first we all thought it was a practice, but we very soon realised that it was the real thing."
George was on a landing craft, and saw some of his comrades shelled and killed at sea.
"Anniversaries like this bring back a lot of memories," he said.
Bill, a minesweeper in the Royal Navy, said: "Some of the mines went off – they really made your ears rattle. I had nightmares for many years after the war was over. I feel really proud of all my comrades today."
"I've spent a long time thinking about my old pals today," said Reg. "The ones who didn't come back. It was very frightening, but you could tell there was a turning point coming."
The tea was hosted by the Chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Elizabeth Mays, at the council offices in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
She said: "It is a great honour for us to be able to offer this small gesture of thanks to these men for all they did for us 70 years ago. I am truly proud to meet them and hear of their experiences."
George Forster, of Bingham, also paid tribute to his fellow soldiers, who gave everything under a relentless onslaught of German machine gun fire.
The 93-year-old was part of the Durham Light Infantry and arrived in Amiens on D-Day plus eight.
"I saw the beaches days later after they had cleared away all the bodies. The men I've spoken to have told me some awful tales and we must never forget their sacrifice."
Mr Forster saw action in north Africa and had been demobilised after being shot in the stomach.
"I thought I was going home, then they posted me to Normandy," he said.
The men were honoured by Ashfield District Council on the same day 2,000 veterans took part in commemorative ceremonies on the beaches of northern France.
Among the soldiers at Juno beach was 91-year-old Cyril Crain, who lost his best friend Freddy Harris as he ran for cover under heavy machine-gun fire.
"I've never run so fast in my life," Cyril said.
During the fighting Cyril also saw a medic killed while attending a wounded soldier and a surrendering officer shot.
