A 98-year-old World War Two veteran has finally received his medals nearly 80 years after he saw combat.
George Lewis was a part of the Royal Tank Regiment between 1944 to 1947. However, shockingly he never received his medals for his service.
When one of Mr Lewis’ neighbours, Valerie Norman, found this out she was determined to set it right.
Ms Norman contacted her brother, who had served in the same regiment as Mr Lewis. He then passed on the story to the Regimental Association who provided the medals.
Now Mr Lewis’ 80 year wait for his medals was finally over when the medals were presented to him in a special ceremony today at the Royal British Legion Club in his hometown of Watchet, Somerset.
Mr Lewis’ 80 year wait for his medals was finally over when the medals were presented to him in a special ceremony today at the Royal British Legion Club in his hometown of Watchet, Somerset
George Lewis was a part of the Royal Tank Regiment between 1944 to 1947. However, shockingly he never received his medals for his service
Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset, Brigadier Richard Toomey, presented Mr Lewis with the War Medal 1939-45 and the France and Germany Star.
Mr Lewis, in words reported by The Independent, said: ‘It’s unbelievable.
‘I have just carried on through life and not really thought about it.
‘It was a shock as much as anything. You imagine after all this time that they wouldn’t be able to find anything about you but they had a complete record.
‘It seems like an awful lot of fuss to go to when what I did doesn’t seem like much, but it is nice to know that they respect what we did for people.’
Having signed up to the army just a month after turning 18, Mr Lewis was immediately shipped off to the fight in February 1944. He was a commander of a tank, seeing action in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset, Brigadier Richard Toomey, presented Mr Lewis with the War Medal 1939-45 and the France and Germany Star
Having signed up to the army just a month after turning 18, Mr Lewis was immediately shipped off to the fight in February 1944. He was a commander of a tank, seeing action in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
His daughter, Liz Lewis, said: ‘I’m very happy, I often wondered what had happened to the medals.
‘But dad doesn’t like talking about the war. He did see a lot – he did his bit, big time.
‘I’m very pleased he is getting this recognition, he is really very honoured by all of this.’
Loretta Whetlor, chairman of the Watchet Royal British Legion, said: ‘I’m very happy as the chair of the RBL branch and mayor of Watchet to ensure George gets that reception that he so deserves.’
