A D-DAY hero who dodged Nazi bullets to tend the wounded on both sides during the Normandy landings has died after a fall.

Fred King, 92, passed away from medical complications following the tumble at New Street Station in Birmingham.

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D-Day hero Fred King dodged Nazi bullets as he tended the wounded during the Normandy landingsCredit: BPM Media

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Fred sporting the Legion d’Honneur last year that he was awarded for his wartime heroismCredit: BPM Media
His son Don said his father “remained military to the end” – refusing to make a fuss and never losing his sense of humour and camaraderie.

Fred remained humble about his wartime exploits that saw him honoured with France’s highest accolade, the Legion d’Honneur.

He was decorated for his role in liberating the country from the Nazis following D-Day in June 1944.

Grandfather Fred passed away in hospital last Saturday from medical complications related to the fall ten days earlier.

Fred signed up in 1942 when he turned 18 years old.

He became a trooper with the 7th Armoured Division of the Inniskilling Dragoons and crossed the Channel after the first wave of the Normandy landings in 1944.

Fred’s regiment bravely fought through France, Belgium and Holland – all the way through to Hamburg in Germany.

Talking about his war-time experiences modest Fred said: “I just did my bit and I was lucky enough to come back alive.

“When we went up to the front line we’d see burned-out tanks, both German and British, and body bags on the side of the road.

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Fred was given France’s highest military honour for his role in liberating the countryCredit: BPM Media
“We’d see soldiers with gunshot wounds and other nasty injuries. I always carried a first-aid kit and I’d try my best to bandage them up before they were stretchered off.

“I was lucky enough never to have been injured myself despite suffering ambushes – but I had many friends who didn’t make it home.

“It was hard but you just had to carry on. I never really thought about the danger.”

His son Don, 63, from Birmingham, lead tributes, saying: “He was very humble about what he did in the war. He signed up to do a job and that’s how he saw it.

“He was a lovely, social person, he loved to drink and go out with friends. He gave me my sense of humour and we always had a laugh.

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Fred signed up in 1942 as soon as he turned 18 years old and was part of the first wave of troops who crossed the ChannelCredit: BPM Media
Fred’s funeral will take place on Thursday, April 6, at Perry Barr Crematorium. Donations to MacMillan Cancer Support.