Islanders are being encouraged to support our most famous war veteran in an online poll for soldiers from the British Isles.

Hector Duff, who turned 100 last year, has been nominated for the Soldiering On People’s Choice Award.

The Soldiering On Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have served their country, and the diverse people and groups who work together in support of the Armed Forces Community.

Organisers say that they ’aim to encourage support for this remarkable community by celebrating the achievements of the people, teams and businesses within it’.

Mr Duff, who is due to collect his OBE from Government House in the coming weeks, is one of four finalists.

Each nominee has a small piece written about them accompanied by a video and people are given the chance to vote for their preferred winner.

It says of Mr Duff: ’Centenarian Hector Duff OBE, MM, BEM, Legion d’Honneur, founded the Normandy Veterans’ Association Branch on the Isle of Man and has been chairman of the Joint ex-Services Association on the island.

’This remarkable man has worked tirelessly for decades for veteran charities and in helping Second World War veterans as they became infirm. Hector is now the final remaining Normandy veteran on the island.’

’Hector is universally admired and his work and courage have been honoured with several awards, including a Military Medal for Gallantry in 1942, for his outstanding courage in Tunisia.’

The website also details Mr Duff’s tireless work in the island’s schools where he has spoken to thousands of children about the horrors and heroes of war.

The nomination added: ’His powerful impact has been upon the islanders of all ages, including cadets, school children, politicians, charity workers and parents, who have seen in him all that is best in a man who has served his country.’

Mr Duff’s nomination is being support by former Lieutenant Governor Sir Laurence New and Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson.

Sir Laurence asked the Examiner to ’give as much publicity as possible and encourage people to vote’.

Mr Watterson added: ’Let’s put the Isle of Man on the map, and vote Hector!’

Readers can vote online at www.soldieringon.org/2020-award-voting/ until midnight March 4.