THE 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings will be marked on June 6. LESLEY RICHARDS talks to war veteran George Culshaw who survived four years of conflict himself but lost his brother in action

SIXTY years may have dimmed the memories of the few surviving war heroes who risked their lives on the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

But for one old soldier the consequences of the battle will never fade.

Though former Tyldesley butcher George Culshaw survived four years in action, his older brother, Royal Artillery Lieutenant Cecil Culshaw, was one of the thousands of allied servicemen who did not come home.

He died, aged just 26, on July 18, 1944 of shell wounds sustained as he rode a motorcycle during the push to liberate France from the grips of the Third Reich.

Today he lies buried in a war cemetery in Brouay, a Normandy village, where 377 servicemen lie buried, casualties of heavy fighting in the area in June and July 1944 as the British forces swung to the south of Caen.

Cecil, who joined up in 1942, died instantly leaving his family and young wife, Ann, with proud memories and a string of service medals.

He wasn't allowed to grow old, but he has never been forgotten.

Former Desert Rat George said: "D-Day commemorations bring back fond memories of Cecil who will always be a hero to our family.

"Like all the others who paid the ultimate price of defending the country he was a brave young man.

"We have visited his grave near the picturesque village church, and would love to go back to the scenes of fighting all those years ago, but everywhere seems to be booked up or the cost is prohibitive."

Father of two George, now 83, reminiscing on his own war service in Africa, Austria and Italy, sadly recalls how the news of his older brother's death was broken to him and how he was ordered to get on with life at war.

He said: "I had been sent from Austria on a hospital ship to Alexandria and was in Cairo when some mates told me Cecil had been killed.

"Though I felt ripped apart, the sergeant major told me to carry on and not to let it get to me. In those circumstances what else can you do?

"Today's wars are much more vicious than ours was. I don't like war of any kind but we had to go and that was that."

George is sad that this year could mark the end of the last big commemorations of D-Day. Like many others he feels the dignity, pride and courage of elderly war veterans should never be allowed to be forgotten.

Tyldesley-born and raised at the family's butcher's shop George had an eventful war of his own.

He was just 19 when on August 8, 1940 the country called. He spent two years under Scottish Command with the Royal Army Service Corps transport unit delivering everything the Forces needed.

At 21 his unit of 40 lorries and 80 men headed for action in Algeria where George had his first experience of the battles to come. It was then on to Tunisia dodging bombs and bullets while delivering food, ammunition, Bailey bridges and other troop requirements.

He said: "When Tunis fell we met up with the 8th Army and became the 8th Army. We served under Field Marshal Montgomery -- Monty. He was a grand chap who spoke to every man in his unit. He was like a father to us."

George recalls the people of Tunis were very friendly. He said: "They had suffered enough at the Germans' hands and were glad to see us. As long as we had plenty of water we never bothered about much else, though we suffered blistered feet."

From there it was on to Southern Italy where the unit regrouped with the 78th Infantry. They saw a couple of their lorries knocked off by bombs and non-smoking George was able to trade his cigarette rations for food.

He took ill in Italy and despite feeling at rock bottom was ordered by nurses to scrub the floor and lockers!

Being used to the best of food George's mum had packed him a parcel of Christmas cake -- and some black puddings -- but by the time they found him they were in no fit state for consumption.

After being involved in the victorious Battle of Monte Cassino it was on to Rome and back to Austria where he eventually heard the peace bell toll.

George, by then acting Sgt Major, was then involved in repatriating Russian troops and eventually came home in December 1946. He joined the business run by his father Edmund, himself a first world war hero.

He retired from the butcher's shop when he sold the business at the corner of Johnson Street and Shuttle Street then spent five years as steward at Tyldesley Conservative Club.

Tee-totaller George, who lives with second wife, Doris, in Parkfield Drive, Tyldesley, said: "I could tell some tales. We had a couple of days leave in Venice and 14 of us piled on a gondola and told the poor gondolier to get pumping."

"I never got injured, I was very lucky, I always found a good spot to duck into.

"We have been to Tunis twice and to Cecil's grave, but would have loved to go to Monte Cassino for the D-Day celebrations on June 6 but it seems to be all booked up."