D-DAY Veteran Ted Owens – soon to return again to the Normandy beaches 75 years on – has written his own compelling war story.

Ted, a 94-year-old former Royal Marine Commando, is a legend in his home town of Pembroke Dock.

His book, entitled ‘Ted the Welsh Goat Hero’ is being launched on Easter Saturday, April 20, at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Ted has worked with the Pembroke and Monkton History Society, which is publishing the 80 page book, with editorial support from family friend Shobha Edgell, a member of the Goriah family who was brought up in the town, and local writer and historian Keith Johnson.

The chapters reflect Ted’s action-packed World War II, beginning as a 15-year-old fire brigade messenger boy during the harrowing days following the Luftwaffe attack on Pembroke Dock’s Llanreath oil tanks in August 1940.

Later Ted joined the Royal Marines and trained for the elite Commandos. Aged 19, he came ashore on Sword Beach, Normandy, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was seriously wounded soon after. Evacuated to England, he recovered and re-joined his unit, and was wounded twice more.

One of a sadly dwindling number of veterans, Ted will be making another visit to Normandy this June for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Ted will be signing copies of his book – which costs £8 – at the Heritage Centre on April 20. The event begins at 1 pm and there is free entry to the centre, with refreshments available in the coffee shop.

Linda Asman, of the Pembroke and Monkton History Society, said: “With Shobha, Keith and others we have worked on this book project with Ted for the past 18 months and are honoured to publish it in this anniversary year of the D-Day landings. This is the story of a remarkable man.”