TRIBUTES have been paid to a war veteran who has died aged 101.

Former Brierfield resident Len Rigg died at Richmond Hospital in Canada.

Mr Rigg was among the tens of thousands of Allied troops who stormed the beaches of occupied France in June 1944.

He went on to emigrate to Canada with his three children in the 1950s, where he lived for more than 50 years, to start a new life after the war,

Mr Rigg’s daughter Eileen Campbell said it “broke the family’s heart” to hear of his passing. She said: “In the early morning hours of August 11, our dad slipped away with his family by his side. It broke our hearts to let him go as he was such a big part of our lives.”

In several interviews with a local Canadian paper, Rigg spoke about his experience of being loaded onto a train as a 28-year-old and sent to the south coast of England with other young servicemen.

Upon arrival, they boarded boats to cross the English Channel and landed on the heavily defended beaches of Normandy.

Mr Rigg’s group headed to “Gold Beach” and they were tasked to clear mines so the forces could land and break through the German defences.

He was one of the fortunate ones to survive after making his way across Europe was among the Allied Forces to take part in a victory parade in Berlin.

Eleven years after the war had concluded, Mr Rigg and his wife took their three children to Canada to start a new life in Vancouver.

His daughter said football was a big part of her father’s life while he was out in Canada and said he went on to manage a local team in Vancouver.

It wasn’t until 2016 that Mr Rigg, who survived six years in the Second World War, was recognised for his services during the global conflict.

On Mr Rigg’s 100th birthday in December 2016, he was presented with the Knight of the French Legion of Honour medal by the French Ambassador to Canada, the highest French order of merit for the military.

Eileen, who lives in Canada, added: “We were so proud to see Dad honoured this way. He leaves behind his legacy of family, love, honour and friendship.”

His family will be holding a celebration of life on Saturday, September 8 at 4pm at Admirals Walk, Steveston Hey.