OLD soldier Arthur Clarke, after seeing his young comrades perish in battle, never collected his war medals.

Years passed before 82-year-old Arthur again considered applying for his honours, earned for World War Two service in occupied Europe and later Palestine.

A chance meeting in hospital gave the former Coldstream Guard sergeant the opportunity to claim his rightful legacy - and fulfil a childhood ambition for his grandson.

Noticing a royal blue and burgundy Guards regimental tie, Arthur began chatting with ex-Engineer Joe Madden and found out that the Warrington branch of the Guards Association could help resolve his dilemma.

Some quick calls to headquarters by association welfare officer Colin Roberts tracked down the missing medals.

Now Arthur can wear his General Service, France-Germany, Victory and Palestine military honours with pride, more than 50 years after the last wartime guns were silenced.

His family only wish his late wife, Vera, who sadly died a month ago, could have been there for the official presentation.

The Callands nursing home resident, who used to live in Neville Crescent, Penketh, said: "When I came home from Palestine in 1946 I had a letter from the War Office to say that if I required my medals I would have to apply for them.

"But I thought if that was the case then they could stuff them. But as time went by my young grandson Alan asked me if he could have them. This is marvellous - it just goes to show doesn't it!"

Daughter Glenys added: "He did not apply for them after the war because he lost his friends and he did not feel it was right."

Four generations of Arthur's family, including the now-grown-up Alan Woodall and great-grandson Sam, aged four, along with Guards Association members, were on hand for the honours handover.

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