Lydney D-Day Veteran reveals important role he played in the war

Later in life, Ms Bridger mentioned the story to Mr Wilcox’s daughter and was surprised she’d never heard the tale.

Ms Bridger said: “Men of that era didn’t talk about what happened, so I was delighted I could share it with her.”

After the war Mr Wilcox remained in the army and became an electrical engineering lecturer at Beachley army base, his goddaughter said.

He then went on to become the mayor and later the Liberal Democrat councillor for Lydney in Gloucestershire.

“People are very proud of the military on the coast,” Ms Bridger, who still lives in Hampshire, said.

“There’s a huge amount of history on our doorstep here, so I’m very fortunate and I feel very proud of Tom.

“He did exactly what he was told to do – the orders were very specific, but that document was so important.

“Thousands were in those camps along the south coast and the future of the war depended on those plans around the world.

“It must have blown his mind to realise that he had been just a tiny part of it, but entrusted with such an important part.”