A BATCHLEY war hero shook hands with the German and Japanese ambassadors in a show of forgiveness for the actions of the two countries during the Second World War on Sunday.

Bert Evans, 84, of St David's House, Willow Way, had his right arm blown off while he fought in the Dunkirk rearguard action with the 2nd Warwickshire Regiment in 1940.

He and his company's men were captured by the SS and herded into a barn near Wormhout in northern France, where nearly 100 of them were slaughtered with grenades.

Mr Evans' arm was shattered beyond repair as he tried to escape the massacre and he is now the only remaining survivor from the horrifying ordeal which was one of the Nazi's most infamous military massacres.

But on Sunday he was invited to Coventry Cathedral by the International Friendship and Reconciliation Trust, along with fellow soldiers Dennis Dodd and Leslie Dennison, both 91.

Despite his suffering, Mr Evans said he was happy to shake the hand of the country's ambassador, His Excellency Thomas Matussek.

"It's important we look to the future, not the past.

"As well as the violence inflicted on us, some Germans also showed acts of great kindness - one helped save my life.

"When I met the ambassadors I shook their hands and said 'It is so good to meet you. It is time for forgiveness on both sides'.

"I know many people don't feel ready to forgive the countries yet, but I felt it was something I wanted to do. I can never forget what happened though."

Ian Hall from Redditch charity Carers Careline who has helped look after Mr Evans for six years said: "Bert really is an inspiration.

"Despite all he went through he was able to forgive, that takes courage.

"Bert refuses to get down about things, despite all he has to contend with. Ask him if he's OK and he jokes that he can't complain because at least his remaining arm is good."