After ten years of service as the Honourary French Consul in Bermuda, Edgar Humann, was given the greatest honour France can bestow - the Légion d'honneur.

Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d'honneur is the highest award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the social status or the nationality of the recipients.

At a ceremony, which included the Deputy Governor Mark Capes, Members of Parliament, family and friends, the French Consul from New York, Francois Delattre gave the distinction to Mr. Humann.

Upon receiving the medal, Mr. Humann said: "I am thankful to have the honour bestowed in the Bermuda I love.

"And there is one person in the audience who should share the award because she was the only permanent help I had, my wife of 44 years, Faith."

The ceremony was also a chance for Mr. Delattre to officially swear in Riquette Bonne-Smith, who is French by birth and Bermudian through marriage, as the next Honourary French Consul, which will give Mr. Humann the chance to retire.

Working for the French Consul is not what Mr. Humann had in mind when he moved to Bermuda 14 years ago to retire.

After travelling to Bermuda on business and raising two boys, Mr. Humann had visions of escaping to a beautiful Island with his wife to slow down and catch up on his fishing.

His long-time friend, William de Vallieres Frith, the former Mayor of Hamilton and the Honorary French Consul for 36 years, had other ideas.

Mr. Humann said: "It was sheer good-luck that I became consulate. I never thought I would.

"I do have a lot of family in the French diplomatic service and I'm sure they said nice things about me be which probably picked me off the list that Willy provided to the French Government."

The Honourary French Consul does not have to be French, but must have ties to France so while, Mr. Humann lived in New York City since 1940, he was born in Paris.

When the Second World War threatened to end the life his family knew, Mr. Humann's father, who had served in the First World War in the French airforce, sent him with his mother and two siblings to the US.

His father was later captured by the Germans and spent three years in one of their camps before he escaped, dressed as a German soldier, and was smuggled into Spain.

After working for the British Consulate for a while he made it to the US via Portugal where a six year old Edgar saw his father for the first time in three years.

It was an experience, which he kept in the back of his mind as he worked for the rights of French citizens in Bermuda, but also to help Bermudian citizens in France.

Mr. Delattre said: "He has been a wonderful representation of my country for the past decade.

"Through his talent and hard work, he achieved great things in America and Bermuda while remaining true to France."