A modest World War II veteran will take part in his first Remembrance Day parade tomorrow – at the age of 98.

Arthur Hillman is the oldest surviving veteran in his home town but has never taken part in the Poppy Day service because he doesn't see himself as a hero.

The former desert rat fought in the famous battles of El Alamein and Monte Cassino, and served under General Montgomery as part of the Eighth Army in the Household Cavalry's Life Guards.

But until this year Mr Hillman, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, shunned war parades and kept his medals locked up in their original casing.

It was only after the deaths of his late wife and second partner that he decided to join the British Legion and celebrate his achievements. The veteran said: "I never did anything heroic like rescuing soldiers or anything like that.

"I'm determined and a very independent person but I'm also quite modest and that's partly the reason why I didn't wear the medals."

During the North Africa campaign, Mr Hillman fought in Operation Crusader, defending the besieged city of Tobruk from attack by German forces. He earned the Egypt Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the 1935-45 Star, and the Home Defence Medal for his time serving in Palestine, and the Victory Medal.

His cousin Judith Kennerdale said: "He has never had his medals mounted before, they have all been in their original boxes because he's so modest."

Mr Hillman explained that he was too busy nursing his wife and later his second partner, Ivy, through illnesses to focus on his war achievements.

Mr Hillman said: "My first wife was ill for many years because of strokes and I would never leave her, so I never got out to take part in the parade. The same happened with Ivy.

"It was only when I was going through my family history with my two cousins that I decided to join the British Legion.

"I am looking forward to the parade but I think it will also be emotional."

Mr Hillman will join his fellow veterans at a remembrance service at St James's Church in Trowbridge at 10.30am tomorrow, followed by a parade to the town's war memorial for wreath-laying at 11.50am.