A nanogenarian resident of Osgodby, Mr. Cecil Codd, is now the proud owner of the Atlantic Star, the 1939-45 Star and the 1939-45 War Medal; however, it has taken a eighteen month battle by his nephew, Richard, and an intervention by local Member of Parliament, Sir Edward Leigh, the Market Rasen Mail reports.

Mr. Codd senior was demobilised from his service in the Royal Navy sixty eight years ago. His nephew explains:

“It all started when I heard about the new Arctic Star medal. I knew Uncle Cecil has served in the North Atlantic convoys, so applied on his behalf, but I was told he did not qualify as he had not gone inside the Arctic Circle itself.”

Following additional research it was discovered that he was entitled to three medals, which he had never received.

“I applied for these medals, but was told they had been sent out in 1948 and they couldn’t replace them; they told me to contact a medal dealer to see if I could find any.”

In fact, the medals had been sent to the temporary address Mr. Codd senior had gone to when he was demobbed and even then, the authorities had misaddressed the package. Richard decided to contact his uncle's local Member of Parliament, Sir Edward Leigh, who agreed to send a letter to the Secretary of State on his behalf. Less than two weeks later, the medals arrived.

“I am really pleased to be part of bringing these recognitions to Uncle Cecil and thank Edward Leigh very much for his support. What these people went through on the convoys is absolutely amazing. I am humbled Cecil is my uncle - he is a very brave man.”

Sir Edward said he was pleased to be help bring this story to a happy conclusion.

“It is very good news that Mr. Codd has now received his medals. This is typical MOD bureaucratic farce. The medals had been sent to the wrong address in 1948 and they weren’t prepared to replace them. He obviously deserved them, so I was happy to help.”

As for Cecil, he has taken it all in his stride, although he admits he was a bit emotional when the medals finally arrived.

“I was surprised when they finally turned up, I didn’t think I was going to get them.”