THE 96-year-old man who suffered serious injuries in a “vicious” distraction burglary is the last surviving member of a secret Second World War mission, it has been revealed.

Jim Booth, who was part of a crack team which spent five days underwater before the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was attacked with a claw hammer at his Gipsy Lane home yesterday.

He answered a call at the door between 4pm and 5pm yesterday by somebody who offered to do work on his house. When Jim refused the offer, he was attacked.

Somerset County Gazette:

Camped in a submarine around half a mile underwater, Jim helped guide Allied landing craft to Sword beach instead of drifting on to jagged rocks.

He and the team would spy on Nazi troops across the shorelines before shining beacons across the sea to guide Allied forces across the treacherous rocks.

But war hero Jim is now in hospital following the sickening incident which left him with injuries to his body and head.

Nearby Taunton Vale Sports Centre closed for the evening while the police carried out investigations. 

Somerset County Gazette:

DCI James Riccio said: “This was a vicious and sickening attack on an elderly man in his own home and we’ve launched a full-scale investigation to find the person who did this.

“The victim managed to raise the alarm with a neighbour before being taken to hospital, where his condition is described as potentially life-threatening.

“We cordoned off the scene and carried out house-to-house enquiries last night. A dog unit was also involved in an initial search of the area, but more searches will be carried out today.

“The offender has been described as white, in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven, solid/athletic build, with dark hair. He was wearing dark clothing and jeans.

Somerset County Gazette:

“Offences of this magnitude are rare but I’d like to reassure residents that we’re using all necessary resources to investigate this crime.

“It’s hard to imagine how anyone could attack a 96-year-old man in his own home and I believe there will be people who have knowledge about who was responsible. If you do, I’d ask you to examine your conscience and do the right thing in calling us with a name.

“There will be increased police activity around the Gipsy Lane area over the next few days. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of your neighbourhood policing team.”

Jim's neighbour Mark Preston said: "You couldn't wish to meet a nicer chap. I only say him Monday morning - he was wearing shorts in November!

"He is still very active, he looks after his allotments, I believe he still plays the organ for one of local churches, and is involved with veterans societies.

"It does make you worry, could that have been me if I had answered the door. Another man was attacked further up the road not long ago, and I have heard of similar attacks on elderly people in the Bristol area.

"It is just ghastly, these are elderly, vulnerable people who cannot fight back. I just hope Jim will be alright."

In 2014, scientists created a film of 200 wrecked ships and other vessels lost off Normandy. Jim, who has four children and four grandchildren, went over to Normandy to help with the film crew and talk to scientists hoping to salvage some of the history lost beneath the water.

He told the County Gazette: “We went underwater to look at one of the wreckages and then they filmed me walking along the beach.”

Jim was awarded the Croix de Guerre French military medal, and was part of the Combined Operations Pilotage and Reconnaissance Parties honoured with a granite memorial donated by Prince Charles on Hayling Island, Hampshire.

READ MORE: D DAY hero relives Second World War memories

The D-Day Normandy Landings saw 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French troops begin an airborne assault shortly after midnight.

This was followed by the war’s largest amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armoured divisions at 6.30am with 160,000 troops.