A 20-year-old has travelled from the United States to honour a Manx veteran who fought in the Second World War.

Rishi Sharma has made it a goal of his to meet and video interview those who have ’saved the world’, including war veteran Hector Duff from Onchan.

As the founder of Heroes of the Second World War, a non-profit organisation, Rishi has been visiting combat veterans across the globe to ensure that future generations can hear the stories of these men.

He said: ’Travelling hundreds of miles from the United States is definitely worth it to meet Hector Duff.

’I first met him in Normandy at the 74th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.’

Mr Duff, who was born in Sulby, served in the 7th Armoured Division from 1940 to 1945 and was in Normandy during the D-Day landings - one of the largest amphibious military invasions in history.

He was later awarded the Military Medal for Bravery and, for many years since, the veteran has been visiting schools and giving public speeches about his war experiences.

Rishi told the Examiner that he tried to interview a veteran every day as they are roughly in their 90s, leaving little time to speak to as many as possible.

He said: ’Growing up I have always been interested in the Second WorldWar. When I was little I used to want to be a marine but when I thought of a marine, I thought of a man with nothing but a rifle in his hands and the shirt on his back. ’I have always felt that these men are my heroes.

’They went in as ordinary boys in extraordinary circumstances which churned them out as men.’

He added: ’If it wasn’t for the combat veterans we wouldn’t be here today.

’They saved the world.’

Although Rishi has come here to interview Mr Duff specifically, he would like to know if there are any other Second World War veterans that he can speak to as well.

You can contact him by emailing [email protected].