A 92-year-old veteran from Cwmbran has received the medals he earned in the Suez Crisis.
Marcus Walden, who served in the Royal Navy in 1956, had never applied for his service medals. But after a local community group, the Cwmbran Veterans Support Hub, offered to help him with his garden, he mentioned it to them.
The group, called the Cwmbran Veterans Support Hub, decided to help Marcus get his medals. They applied for them, and Marcus received them last month.
He plans to wear them with pride at the Remembrance Service in Pontypool on November 10.
Marcus, from Cwmbran, said: “Captain Smith and Zoe have been so helpful. Once Capt Smith knew about the medals he filled in all the forms, and the next thing I know they arrived in the post. It’s been wonderful.
“I enjoy going to the hub and I’ve made lots of new friends. It’s good to be able to meet people from all the services to talk about our experiences, learn new things and have a laugh.”
The Cwmbran Veterans Support Hub meets at the Army Reserve Centre, Ty Coch Way, Cwmbran, between 10am-11am, every Wednesday.
In the summer, five members of the group helped to clear Marcus’ garden and relay it with gravel, paid for by the hub.
Capt Smith, from the Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers (Militia), said: “Everybody here looks out for each other. If someone doesn’t turn up one week, for example, a couple of the group will pop by and check they’re OK.
“We regularly have people and organisations come in to talk to the group about practical things, such as what benefits they may be able to receive, mental health and that kind of thing. So, for many the hub offers them access to information and support they might not be able to receive easily elsewhere.
“It’s been great working with Torfaen Council to access funding, which enables us to carry on this work and support more veterans.”
The following Remembrance Day services are taking place on Sunday 10 November:
10.30am Remembrance Service at St Mary’s Church, New Inn
10.30am Wreath-laying and service at the cenotaph, Pontnewydd
10.50am Service of Remembrance, Cwmbran Park
11am Wreath-laying and service at the cenotaph, Blaenavon
11.45 Remembrance Service and wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Gates, Pontypool