An army veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday by receiving the medals he lost nearly 70 years ago.
Sergeant Glyn Gurner from New Tredegar was presented with replacements of the medals he was awarded for his brave service.
Glyn opened his front door on Monday, January 7, to find Regimental Sergeant Major Richie Davies, who presented him with his long-lost medals.
RSM Davies, who heard about Glyn’s story and wanted to do something special, said: “I located his service documents in the South Wales Borderers’ Museum in Brecon and when I heard he had lost his medals in the 1950s I wanted to ensure he had replacements made up especially for his 100th birthday.
“It’s an absolute privilege to do something for someone who served his country in the way Glyn did.”
RSM Davies was joined by Goat Major Sergeant Mark Jackson and Fusilier Shenkin IV, who is a goat.
Glyn, who served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers for ten years, was also presented with a letter from Major General James Swift, who is the Regimental Colonel of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Maj Gen Swift wrote: “I know that you volunteered and joined 1 Welch well before the Second World War in 1936. Your service during the war took you to most of the hot spots – Crete, North Africa, Italy and Palestine.
“Like many of your generation you put your life on hold to serve your King and country. For those who have not served in uniform this is something that people of today do not quite understand, but for those serving in today’s Army and your Regiment, we salute you and thank you for your sacrifice.”
An emotional Glyn said: “This is unbelievable. I never expected anything like this. What a wonderful thing to do. I can’t believe I’ve got my medals back.”
Glyn’s son, Neil Gurner, said: “My dad is as fit as a fiddle. He never stops. This has really made his day and we’ll never forget it.”