D-Day landings war hero Jim Bargh dies at age of 92

George James Bargh, known as Jim, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning surrounded by his family, including his wife of almost 67 years, Marjorie.

Jim was born in Lancaster and came from a farming background.

He spent his younger years in Heysham and later moved to Morecambe, attending Morecambe High.

He was a member of St John’s Ambulance Brigade for many years and at the age of 14 became an apprentice hairdresser.

Jim volunteered for the Royal Navy in late 1941 as a member of the Medical Service and saw action on the shores of Dieppe and the North African invasion and a further service in the Mediterranean and the English Channel on ML and motor torpedo boats.

After five years’ service in the Royal Navy Jim returned home and in July 1949 married Marjorie.

In 1954 he opened his hairdressing business in the centre of Lancaster; he quickly became one of the prominent hairdressers in the city and had several salons, and was a founder member of the Lancaster Academy of Hairdressing in the sixties.

Jim took a degree in trichology in 1970 and had a clinic for more than 25 years.

He was a member of Lancaster Golf Club for more than 40 years.

He thought the world of his two sons, Trevor and Ian, and all of his family, especially his five grandchildren.

While his sons were at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School he became a founder member of the Parent Teacher Association and was always interested in their future.

Jim was a member of the Lancaster Red Rose Amateur Operatic for more than 60 years and was the treasurer for 22 years (until 2004).

He was also a Freeman of the City Of Lancaster.

Marjorie and Jim celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1999 and their Diamond Wedding in 2009.

Jim retired in December 2000 after 47-and-a-half years in business at the age of 77, to take care of his garden and have as many holidays, including cruises, as possible.

He received a Veteran badge on VE day 2005 in recognition of his service in the Second World War, and featured in the Lancaster Guardian earlier this month when he received the Legion d’Honneur medal for the part he played in the D-Day landings.

At the time, Jim said he was “elated” to have been awarded the medal – France’s highest military honour – after a long wait for the recognition.

He had been a medic in the Royal Navy during the infamous D-Day battle on June 6 1944.

The funeral will be held at Lancaster crematorium on May 11 at 2.45pm (no flowers please but donations to Help for Heroes).