TWO Second World War medals believed to have been ‘lost in the post’ finally reached former soldier George Lewis in Watchet on Saturday (July 20).

Mr Lewis, now aged 98, was formally presented with the medals by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Brigadier Richard Toomey.

The presentation took place at a special ceremony in Watchet Royal British Legion Club with Mr Lewis surrounded by family and friends, and some current members of the Royal Tank Regiment, in which he served from 1944 to 1947.

Second World War veteran George Lewis, of Watchet, about to receive medals which went missing 80 years ago.
Second World War veteran George Lewis, of Watchet, about to receive medals which went missing 80 years ago. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

Brigadier Toomey said: “His generation deserve our utmost respect and admiration and this is the least we can do.”

Mr Lewis, joined the Army a month after his 18th birthday and saw action in Belgium and Holland through to Germany.

He was entitled to receive the War Medal 1939-1945 and the France and Germany Star but they never arrived and it was thought the family’s move from London to escape the Blitz may have caused confusion as to where they should have been delivered.

Nearly 80 years later the subject came up in conversation with Watchet neighbour Val Norman, whose brother had served in the same regiment.

Somerset Deputy Lord Lieutenant Brigadier Richard Toomey (right) presents Watchet's George Lewis with his Second World War medals with town Mayor Cllr Loretta Whetlor behind him.
Somerset Deputy Lord Lieutenant Brigadier Richard Toomey (right) presents Watchet's George Lewis with his Second World War medals with town Mayor Cllr Loretta Whetlor behind him. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

From there, the regimental association procured the medals and worked with the legion to ensure they could be presented.

Mr Lewis told the Free Press: “They are beautiful medals and I am very proud. I shall keep them until the day I die.

“It was a complete shock, to think after all those years something I did was coming back to me with these two medals.

“I have gone through life, got a job like you do, and brought up a family, and then retired, and suddenly out of the blue because of my neighbour I have got two medals.

Watchet's George Lewis with neighbour Val Norman.
Watchet's George Lewis with neighbour Val Norman. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

“I thought it was a lot of fuss they went to for what we did in the war but it was nice to know people have respect what we did back then.”

Mr Lewis, who lives with his daughter Liz in Wedlakes, moved to Watchet in 2012 after several years living in Devon.

He said: “We have been happy ever since we moved here, it is a lovely little community.”

Mr Lewis said after the war he lived in Hounslow, London, and described how he walked the entire length of Great West Road looking for work in one of the many factories along it.

War veteran George Lewis with dignitaries and current members of the Royal Tank Regiment at the presentation of his medals in Watchet.
War veteran George Lewis with dignitaries and current members of the Royal Tank Regiment at the presentation of his medals in Watchet. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

However, he said: “I came out after most of the guys had come home and there was no work because they had got all the jobs.”

Mr Lewis eventually managed to find work a friend as a window cleaner during the day, starting at 5.30am, and a four-hour evening shift in a chocolate factory, which he did for 11 years.

He then went to Heathrow Airport as a driver and worked his way up to become transport manager before retiring 22 years later.

Mr Lewis’s wife Phyllis, who had been seriously ill and bed-ridden for a number of years, died in 1980 after 37 years of marriage.