OCCUPATION historian Joe Mière has another medal to add to a family collection going back to the Napoleonic Wars.

Last weekend he received a surprise through the post from the Confederation Europeénne des Anciens Combattants.

On opening the envelope he discovered a medal, the Croix de l’Europe, awarded to him for his resistance during the Occupation and for dedicating his life since the Liberation to ensuring the stories of those who lived through the Occupation will never be forgotten.

Mr Mière said it was a lovely surprise as he has no idea who nominated him.

‘It means a lot to get a medal from the French, to add to the one I got from the Russian Government last year.

It may not be the Legion d’Honneur but it’s still a great honour.

I’ll have to get a bigger medal case now.

It’s been a great surprise and I feel very humble, but also very proud to receive the medal from France,’ he said.

Mr Mière’s work was recognised by the French some years ago, but on that occasion he was presented with a crystal decanter.