A SECOND World War hero finally received his service medals on Saturday for helping to defeat Hitler and Nazi Germany – nearly three-quarters of a century after the war ended!

Grandfather Ken Preter, 92, of Lime Avenue, Westleigh, earned the Defence Medal and a Second World War Campaign Medal for fighting for his country after joining the Royal Marines in 1942 halfway through the war at the tender age of 18.

But he was offended at being asked to send off for the medals at the end of the war, feeling that they should have been presented to him and the rest of his unit after they had risked their lives fighting the Nazis.

More than 71 years on Compassion in Action organised for Ken to be given his medals in a special event at the charity’s Patrick House base at the weekend.

It was attended by more than 50 people, and fellow veterans gave him a guard of honour in a moving and thoroughly deserved medal ceremony.

Ken had only been expecting a small get-together attended by his family members, so the grand occasion came as quite a shock.

He said: “I am happy to finally have them but I never expected anything like this.

“It was a great day and I want to thank everyone who set it up, and my family and friends.”

The Compassion in Action team decided to apply for Ken’s medals on his behalf after welcoming him to their Veterans’ Brunch last year and hearing his story.

Ken signed up for the Royal Marines on August 13, 1942.

His military service spanned the Arctic to the tropics before he returned to civilian life after the end of the war in 1945, working as a North West Electricity Board cable layer for more than 30 years.

All veterans have reason to feel lucky to have survived the Second World War but Ken had more fortune that most.

He was diverted back to Wales while waiting to board a landing craft bound for France in Falmouth Harbour, where troops left for the D-Day landings in Normandy - which saw approximately 10,000 allied soldiers killed - the following day.

Another timely reassignment saw Ken safe when the first deployed atomic bomb hit Hiroshima.

Ken said: “They told us at the end of the war we had earned the medals but we would have to send off for them ourselves.

“There was uproar among the lads and half of us said that, after risking our lives for years, we didn’t want them if they couldn’t present them to us.”

Pam Gilligan, chief executive officer at Compassion in Action, which supports and helps people in need, said: “It was our great pleasure to apply for Mr Preter’s medals on his behalf.

“He did his service for king and country, and came home safe.

“We are honoured to thank him and recognise his contribution to the war effort.”

Leigh MP Andy Burnham presented Ken with his medals on Saturday.

He said: “Our generation should not forget the contribution made by Ken and all the servicemen and women who sacrificed so much, but with a purpose: to bring us peace in Europe for 70 years and prosperity for generations to come.”