A local woman whose father was an airborne parachutist in World War II hopes to honour his life and other veterans in the upcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

Jean Synclaire, 66, from Slough, will be flying out to France this June in memory of her late father Lance Corporal Andrew Corbett Mavor who passed away in 2016 at age 93.

Having lived in Windsor and being a worker at the Castle for 21 years, LCpl Mavor became the Life Vice President of the Royal Household Bowling Club.

It was when a local newspaper report on Mrs Synclaire's father was seen by French historian Ludovic Louis, based in Normandy, that she became aware that her father was part of a bigger D-Day mystery.

Mrs Synclaire was invited out to meet LCpl Louis and since then she has been regularly attending memorial services each year in Normandy.

She said: "I knew nothing of my father's WWII exploits but I was soon told so much by Ludo... where he dropped, all about the other men in his plane, where he was taken as a Prisoner of War. All invaluable information which I am truly grateful for."

Mrs Synclaire also met the families of children who fed LCpl Mavor when he was in hiding ahead of his capture in Normandy.

This June Mrs Synclaire will be once again visiting Normandy for 11 days to show her appreciation to the people of Normandy and to thank them all for the remembrance and respect they show the WWII servicemen every year.

Mrs Synclaire added: "I thought it would be nice for anyone who cannot be in France in June, who'd like to have their WWII veteran relative's name read out or placed on a cross with their name on if deceased, placed by us on D-Day in Normandy, to be given that opportunity.

"We will be at commemorative services in Saint Vaast En Auge, at Ranville Sixth Airborne Cemetary, Arromanches, Beaumont En Auge, Pont L' Eveque and Omaha Beach."

The Taxi  Charity For Military Veterans will be helping to ensure veterans in and visiting Normandy can attend the ceremonies with their carers free of charge thanks to donations funding a bank of taxis.

Speaking of the events, Mrs Synclaire said: "It is incredibly moving, children, grandchildren and relatives all come together. We are fortunate to be able to go out each year."

Mrs Synclaire has been appointed 'British and Allied Forces Families Ambassadrice' to an association in Pont L'Eveque (1944 Memories Pont L'Eveque) where her father was briefly held as a Prisoner of War before being sent to Stalag IV-B.

Anyone wishing for their loved one's name to be spoken or placed on a cross to mark the 80th anniversary can contact Mrs Synclaire at ddaynormandy80@yahoo.com