A CHIVALROUS Dorsetshire Regiment soldier who saved 20 men during World War II amid heavy gunfire has been awarded the highest French military honour.

Robert Rigler, 98, was presented with the Legion D’Honneur at Care South's Dorset House, Hamworthy, in an event attended by Rifles County Colonel for Dorset Andrew Edwards as well as the mayor and sheriff of Poole.

Sjt Rigler joined the unit in Poole at 16, weighing just seven stone and standing at 5ft 2ins.

It was 11 years later in September 1944, during the evacuation of the Airborne Division from Arnhem, that he rose to the occasion with incredible courage.

He is mentioned in dispatches, which say: “Sjt Rigler and some of his men were called upon to man the boats.

“The night was pitch dark and it was pouring with rain making the crossing most difficult. In addition the crossing places were under heavy artillery and small arms fire.

“Undeterred Sjt Rigler took charge of a boat and it was his skill and courage in directing the efforts of the crew that the crossing was successfully accomplished and ten airborne men were brought back safely to the home bank.”

It goes on to describe that once back to safety he found bullets had cut holes in the boat, prompting him to transfer the men to another, before saving a further ten.

The dispatches conclude: “It was entirely due to Sjt Rigler’s example, leadership and disregard for his own personal safety that these trips across the Lek were successfully carried out.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo, an emotional Sjt Rigler said he could not believe he was receiving so much attention for something that happened so long ago.

“All the training in the world doesn’t train you for that moment when you first come under fire,” he said.

“I was afraid that the next bullet coming over was the one that would get me – that that would be the one with my name on it.”

Sjt Rigler spent the afternoon reminiscing with fellow former soldier and friend Reg Cossins, 94, who he fought alongside.

His great niece, Margaret Price, said the family was full of pride. “I knew he was good, I knew he was brave but I didn’t realise myself until today just how brave and just how much good he did."