A decorated Second World War veteran — and one of the last surviving veterans from the D-Day landings — has died aged 99.

Earlier this year, Roy Hayward was celebrated as a national hero at the 80th anniversary of the landings, which was televised worldwide and was attended by Prince William.

He died peacefully at the weekend.

At the age of just 19, Roy, from the Isle of Wight, lost both his legs when the tank he was in was attacked in Normandy.

He returned to his job working in a bank after rehabilitation from his injuries.

Roy Hayward with Prince William, the Prince of WalesRoy Hayward with Prince William, the Prince of Wales (Image: Ian Dore)

After the war, Roy joined Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity, and became the Isle of Wight branch treasurer when he retired from the bank.

Roy, who was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’Honneur, joined the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Tank Regiment as an 18-year-old as the Allies geared up for the invasion.

His unit landed in the evening and were soon in the action and he was in a Sherman tank as they clashed with the 12th SS Panzer Division at Fontenay-le-Pesnel.

His tank was hit by a shell and immediately started to burn. He managed to push a fellow crew member out and, despite horrific injuries, get himself clear before it was engulfed in flames.

Roy was rescued by medics and had his legs amputated at a nearby field hospital before being shipped back to Portsmouth for extensive treatment and rehabilitation in four different hospitals.

He received a standing ovation at the commemoration in Portsmouth in June and was personally thanked by members of the Royal Family and senior figures for his service and sacrifice.

A modest man, he simply said: “My wounds were a bit of bad luck and my thoughts are always with those who did not return home.”

​Vivienne Buck, chief executive of Blesma, said: “Roy was a remarkable person and he will be sadly missed by so many people."

“He was typical of that generation in that he did not complain or dwell on what had happened.

"He just got on with life and even commuted from his home in Surrey, cycling to his local station on rudimentary prosthetics to catch a train into London every day."