General Chat

Fred rolled off down to the village lunch. No idea of anything going on.

As soon as he was settled we had the bluenose, other medals, couple of photos on the table behind him.

The parish councillor who was doing the presentation got up and stood beside him so he thought he might have a little zizz. Bit of a prod was in order there. You could see him perk up a bit when he heard her say Arctic Convoy but he was only half interested until he realized it was about him.

Several people had a little cry when she gave him the medal, including him, and me! Several photos then from a number of people who had brought their cameras.

Had our lunch and, naturally he got cream down his bib. More photos, put his other medals on and had second helpings of pudd'n' so he got cream over them!

Proper bit of a photo shoot then. I had to be in one and he had to go down the end of the hall to pose.

The highlight for me was that we have a German Lutheran pastor living in the village and he came over to congratulate him and we had them photographed together.

The medals stayed on while he came home, good thing there were no snipers along the way or he would not have stood a chance with all that bling on!

We went to Lidl to take the dodgy gums in and when we came home he was lying on the bed, still wearing his medals like some sort of sick cross between Albert Steptoe and Idi Amin!

Bless his cotton socks - he earned those medals and especially that one.

:-D :-D :-D

How lovely.

Now the village knows he is a celebrity, do you think he will be asked to open Fête's? ;-)

That sounds a wonderful day, Sharron.
I have watery eyes at the mo, just thinking of what those men went through :-( xxx :-D

He was in the warm though. He was a stoker.

I would appreciate it if you didn't give him anymore ideas. Don't you think he is diva enough already!

Sharron,

Sounds as if all went as you wanted it to go and had planned.

Loads of photo's then for Fred to make an album of and a story about the job he had to do on the Convoys.

That may keep him quiet for maybe half a day..lol.

He really should be writing his story of what he did on board ship and if he can remember any names of his shipmates.

I would love to read it if and when he writes it as my stepfather was on the Artic Convoys.

Would love to see the photo's when you can Please..

Just wish I had been there to see his face when the councillor came across to him..

Good on yer Fred Our Hero.. <3 <3

Awww Sharron, what a wonderful memory for you and Fred :-)

I am so pleased he managed to stay awake for the presentation.................and 2nd pud of course :-D <3

I had bought some cava for the toast. That was brought round in plastic glasses just before the presentation and he already had his nose well in to his glass! I had to stop him drinking and tell him there was going to be a toast.

Silly old sod still didn't twig!

Thanks for sharing Sharron, what a great day for you both.

Emma :-)

Bless him Sharron he sounds a real character. <3

There will be a picture and the speech the councillor made in the parish magazine next month.

This really is a brilliant village to live in.

brilliant and so well deserved for a true British hero - I love your description of him lying there with his medals on - thanks for telling us <3 <3 <3 <3

Oh Sharron that is absolutely fabulous!! :-D

It bought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye!!

Well done Fred!! <3 <3 <3

Thank you for sharing.

Glad it all went so well :-D :-D :-D :-D

I forgot to say that the German had been a soldier in the Second World War which made their photograph particularly poignant for me.

What a fabulous day for you and Fred!

I love the image you have painted of him lying on his bed with the medals on!!

I am so glad that it all went so well xxxx

Lovely to read about Fred and his wonderful day. Bless him, a proper hero. Keep shining those medals!
Lynda x <3

Thanks for sharing Fred's big day Sharron :-)

What a very special day.Thank you for sharing it with us.
I'm so pleased for you all that it went so well and was enjoyed by everyone..

What a lovely description of him on his bed !

Gwyn

Hope you got a pic of him on his bed with the medals Sharron lol

So glad all your plans worked out and for him to shed a little tear, well shows how pleased he was even if he tries to make out he's a tough old boy! All the best to him and to you, for all the care you give him and the incentive to fight on, he hasn't lost that spirit he had during the war.

I keep meaning to apply for my Dad's War Record, I only know snippets and it's too late to ask him now.

Lizx