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WWII veteran finally gets medals 80 years later

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A World War II veteran has finally received his medals – nearly 80 years after he fought in Belgium and Germany.

George Lewis, now 98 and living with his daughter Liz in Watchet, Somerset, served in the Royal Tank Regiment from 1944 to 1947.

But for some reason he never received his medals. Lewis suspects they were sent to the wrong address.

When one of his neighbors, Valorie Norman, discovered this, she set out to put things right. She contacted her brother, who had served in the same regiment as Mr. Lewis.

It seems like a lot of hassle to go there when what I’ve done doesn’t seem like much, but it’s nice to know that they respect what we’ve done for people.

George Lewis, World War II veteran

Her brother told the story to the Regimental Association, who presented the medals.

Mr Lewis, who served with the Fifth Tank Regiment, was finally presented with the medals at an event on Saturday, surrounded by his children and other family members at the Royal British Legion Club in Watchet.

Somerset’s Deputy Lieutenant, Brigadier General Richard Toomey, presented Mr Lewis with the War Medal 1939-45 and the France and Germany Star.

Mr Lewis told the PA news agency: “It’s unbelievable.

“I just went on with my life and didn’t really think about it.

“That happened because I happened to tell my neighbor’s husband, who then told his wife.

George Lewis in his military uniformGeorge Lewis in his military uniform (Family Handout/PA)

“His wife has a brother who was in the Tank Regiment. He came to me and before I knew it, I was being presented with the medals.

“It was a shock as well. You can imagine that after all that time they wouldn’t be able to find anything on you, but they had a complete file.

“It seems like a lot of hassle to go there when what I did wasn’t much, but it’s nice to know that they respect what we did for people.”

Mr. Lewis was called up for military service in February 1944, a month after his 18th birthday. He was a tank commander and fought in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Mr Lewis described how he and his mate were travelling with a group of 10 men to protect them while they dug a trench.

In the evening they came back to pick up the wounded.

George Lewis served sitting on a chairGeorge Lewis served between 1944 and 1947 (family allowance/PA)

He did not speak of the horrors he witnessed while serving, but instead reminisced about the food his friend used to prepare. He spoke fondly of a sweet dessert that came in a tin and reminded him of Christmas pudding.

His daughter, Liz Lewis, said: “I’m very pleased. I’ve often wondered what happened to the medals.

“But Dad doesn’t like to talk about the war. I do know a few things, like seeing people burned alive by flamethrowers.

“He has seen a lot – he has done his bit, and he has done it in a big way.

“I am very happy that he is getting this recognition, he feels really honored by all this.”

She said that after the war her father went to work as a transport manager at Heathrow.

Valorie Norman, Mr. Lewis’ neighbor, said her husband was the first to discover he hadn’t gotten his medals. After he told her the story, she knew she had to make sure he got them.

She said, “It should have happened a long time ago.

“It’s so special to have the whole family together, he was so excited.”

Loretta Whetlor, Chair of the Watchet Royal British Legion, added: “I am delighted that as Chair of the RBL Branch and Mayor of Watchet I can ensure that George receives the welcome he deserves.”

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