TRIBUTES have been paid to a heroic D-Day veteran who died at the weekend.

Robert Brennan, 95, was at the helm of a minesweeper motor launch at the Omaha beachhead after being called up for wartime service at the age of 19.

The Royal Navy veteran later received the French Legion of Honour medal.

Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the award is France’s highest distinction and is awarded to French and foreign nationals who serve France or the values it upholds.

Robert, who lived in Neilston for many years after the war and has been described as an “absolute gentleman”, died on Sunday evening.

Matt Drennan, secretary of the Neilston War Memorial Association, said: “We first met Robert as he walked past the memorial one afternoon.

“He was always very complimentary of the work that we were doing and was happy to tell his story.

“It was very touching that he was sent away at 19, taking part in the D-Day landings.

“Robert would always walk by our garden and stop to talk. He was an absolute gentleman, sharp as a pin and always well dressed and polite. You just knew he was ex-military.

“I thank Robert for his service during World War Two and convey deepest sympathies to his family at this sad time.”

During his wartime service, Robert spent a number of weeks minesweeping the coast of France and Germany, allowing other troops to land safely within France and Holland, driving German soldiers back.

He was later stationed at Cuxhaven, off the north coast of Germany, as the war came to an end.

After the war, Robert was tasked with manning a captured German battleship, sailing the vessel from Portsmouth to Greenock with its original German crew.

He was awarded his Legion of Honour medal on Remembrance Day 2016.

Originally from Glasgow, Robert had recently moved from Neilston to Giffnock.

A number of his relatives still live in Neilston.

Arrangements for Robert’s funeral have yet to be confirmed.