A D-DAY veteran who landed on Sword Beach and fought his way through Normandy during World War II has been given a hero's send off.

Friends and family packed Poole Crematorium for the funeral of Swanage-born Brian Guy this month.

The 94-year-old, a grandad-of-six and great grandfather-of-three, was described at the service as "an amazing man".

One of seven brothers, Brian left school at 14 and joined the British Army as soon as he was able during the Second World War.

Aged just 19, while serving as a sapper in the Royal Engineers, he found himself playing a key role in one of the most pivotal days in history.

Writing in a journal after the war, describing some of the actions his company took during the hostilities, Brian recalled: "D-Day the 6th of June 1944. The Company had been given the vital task on D-Day of landing on Sword Beach first, to open up and mark a mine free path from the beach to the road beyond, armed with flame throwers and explosive charges.

"Despite the odds and the opposition, that had been done, we had then joined the infantry as an extra fighting unit."

Brian, who worked for Hamworthy Engineering and then the Winfrith Atomic Energy Establishment after the war, fought from D-Day up until November the same year.

He was injured twice, on the second occasion severely.

Recalling another of the numerous actions he survived, Brian wrote: "The attack to retake the Chateau de la Londe in support of 8th Brigade, then on to le Mensil wood. A tremendous battle with hand-to-hand fighting, nicknamed 'The bloodiest square mile in Normandy."

Another entry in the list of actions was: "Night time assault across the canal at 1am with storm boats and a folding boat assault bridge.

"Confused and desperate night fighting around the crossing with heavy machine gun fire down the canal and mortar bombs in it.

"Infantry over and spreading out. Very frightening assault at night against determined resistance."

His funeral at Poole Crematorium was attended by representatives of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and standard bearers from the Royal British Legion.

Family members in attendance included his wife Shelia and the couple's three children, Gerry, Brian and Julie.

Son Brian told those gathered: "Dad had a fulfilled life, facing many challenges along the way and was blessed with an indomitable spirit.

"He beat the odds on several occasions through his life, but in the end it was a fall which was his undoing, that sadly his frail body could not recover from."