MUCH has been written of D-Day and the Allied battle against Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy in 1944.

However the role of a group of men, including one from Foel in Montgomeryshire, is not often mentioned despite its success being pivotal to the success of the pivotal beach battle in northern France.

Emrys Evans was born on April 4, 1924 and attended Llanfair Caereinion County School.

Emrys had a tough upbringing which left a mark on him and he would account for memories of his father crying after the loss of a cow.

He took up work with the Midland Bank in Llanrhaeadr 1941.

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War in 1942, Emrys enlisted in the Royal Navy.

He became a radio operator and on June 5, 1944 he and a party of 58 comrades landed in Normandy.

Emrys was among three radio operators in the party which was dropped off at Arromanches from a motor torpedo boat a day in advance of the invasion to report back on enemy troop movements.

Hiding on the cliffs, they watched as an armada of boats unloaded their men and vehicles and fought their way up the beaches on D Day.

Emrys survived though 48 of his squad died during the pivotal battle which left a permanent scar on the 20 year old who never spoke of the event, even to his family, for the remainder of his life.

Emrys resumed his banking career following the end of the war and for the next 40 years worked for Midland Bank while championing the Council for the Welsh Language and introducing Welsh language checks.

Emrys died in 2004.