RAF veteran finally receives war medal as a surprise 99th birthday present
A war veteran was left “absolutely flabbergasted” after finally receiving a long overdue service medal on his 99th birthday.
Harry Filby served as an RAF radio operator in Egypt and Iraq during the Second World War but never applied for the honour as “he felt he was just doing what he had to do”.
However, staff at Elgar Care, who support Mr Filby in his home in Hereford, decided to step in and apply for the medal on his behalf.
It was presented to him on his birthday earlier this month by Colonel Andy Taylor, a war veteran from Ledbury, Herefordshire, in a ceremony also attended by his family.
A “flabbergasted” Mr Filby told the BBC: “I’m not normally stuck for words – but my God I was.”
He added: “My daughter has been [on at] me for years ‘Apply for your medals!’”
Recalling the “emotional” ceremony, Tracey Waters, Elgar Care’s registered manager said: “This is the thing about care – it’s about stories like this.”
A spokesman for Elgar Care said: “Harry was in communications in World War II. He never applied for his medal, as he felt he was just doing what he had to do.
“His family wanted him to have it as they know what an amazing man he really is and wanted him to be honoured.
“Thank you, Harry, for your service, we really do appreciate you.”
The 1939-45 war medal was created for anyone who served full-time in the Armed Forces for at least 28 days during the conflict.
