Medal better late than never
I read the article in the Star of October 8, of the delay experienced by Les Gwilt in receiving his General Service Medal for his services in the Suez Canal Zone in the early 1950s. The delay was the result of the MoD, or the Government, whichever was responsible for it, who didn't decide to present the GSM for Suez service until around 2000.
Being ex-RAF I had to apply to the records office at RAF Innsworth Gloucester.
The application was acknowledged within a couple of weeks and the medal, which had the number, rank and name engraved around the rim and was fitted with the "Canal Zone" clasp, arrived some six months later.
There must be many dozens of Shropshire Star readers who spent their youth in the canal zone. Remember lads, we got some ID.
Never mind Les, it's better late than never.
And you managed to keep your tan.
B Travis, Church Stretton
