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Motion · S6M-08017 · 23 Feb 2023

Congratulations to John McOwan, Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion d’Honneur

Lodged by Christine Grahame Standard Motion 22 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates Peebles veteran, John McOwan, on being decorated as a Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion d’Honneur, nearly 80 years after taking part in the D-Day landings during the Second World War; understands that Mr McOwan joined the Royal Artillery in 1939, aged 18, and served on the artillery batteries, defending the Forth Rail bridge, before being transferred to Egypt in 1940; further understands that the former "Desert Rat" only became aware that he was entitled to France’s highest military award in 2019, after meeting other veterans in Normandy to mark the 75-year anniversary of the D-Day landings; pays credit to Sight Scotland Veterans and Legion Scotland on assisting Mr McOwan to finally receive his medal; understands that Mr McOwan wrote his memoir during the COVID-19 pandemic and published his book, A Centenarian’s Memories of WWII, in 2022; further understands that, following his military service, Mr McOwan ran a jewellery shop in Peebles before he retired, and is now a great-grandfather, with one daughter, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and wishes Mr McOwan a very happy 102nd birthday on 6 February 2023.

Supporters (22)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.