A WORLD War II veteran from Bournemouth completed a skydive 74 years after parachuting into Normandy on D-Day. Harry Read, 94, took to the skies and jumped from 10,000 feet in his first high level skydive since he parachuted into Normandy on June 6, 1944. He used the event to fundraise for the Salvation Army’s anti trafficking and modern slavery work in UK.

As a 20-year-old wireless operator in the war, Harry was part of the Parachute Brigade, landing in Normandy early on D-Day. To avoid attack during wartime, parachuting would take place as close to the ground as possible.

Harry, who attends Winton Salvation Army, said: “On that morning at 00.50 hours I parachuted into Normandy and 30 seconds later I was on the ground. It was a very different experience to the one I just had.

"Whilst I was a little nervous I have always enjoyed the thrill of parachuting. It was amazing to experience the freefall and then cruising down was simply beautiful. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience this at my age.

"Before I could take part in the jump my doctor assured me my heart is as healthy as a middle aged man," he added.

Harry had seen veterans taking part in skydives previously, and after visiting the Normandy battlefields on an anniversary tour earlier this year he was inspired to do one himself.

Ahead of a possible skydive next June on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Harry decided to try a dive a little closer to home and booked into The Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury.

A life-long member of the Salvation Army and a great-great grandfather, in 2016 Harry was awarded France’s highest honour, the Chevalier, by order of the Légion d'Honneur for the role he played in the country’s liberation from the Nazis in June 1944.

“At whatever age we are, we are more than capable of shrinking from something that we feel is beyond us. But, I believe we should not withdraw from a challenge – yesterday is not our best, our best is tomorrow," he said.

Harry, who has already raised over £5,400, jumped with members of his family; his granddaughters Lianne, 37, and Joanna, 39, and his great-grandson Josh, 23.

He has previously served as the Salvation Army’s territorial leader in East Australia, and as chief secretary at the Salvation Army in Canada.

To support Harry’s skydive visit justgiving.com/fundraising/harry-read