A MOVING ceremony saw a veteran presented with a long-outstanding medal for his bravery during “the forgotten war”.

During his national service in the 1950s, County Durham RAF driver Brian Howe was sent to Egypt, and stationed in the Suez Canal Zone during a time of active service that threatened the lives of many British personnel.

Following a lengthy campaign by Suez veterans and their supporters, the Government began in 2003 to award medals to veterans of the conflict, recognising the efforts of those who served in the Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954.

In June, Age UK Darlington launched a project aimed at ensuring veterans receive the accolades they have earned, with Mr Howe's medal being the first one awarded as a result.

The 82-year-old received the medal from Darlington’s mayor Jan Taylor while surrounded by family, friends and members of the British Legion at the Wilton House Care Home on Tuesday.

The veteran’s most recent battle is with vascular dementia but despite the difficulties it presents, Mr Howe was still able to recite his RAF number by heart before addressing those gathered with a short speech.

He said: “Coming here today and talking to so many people about what we did in the past means it is a very special day for me."

Mr Howe’s wife of 61 years, Olive, said: “It is tremendous for Brian to receive this medal and he is very happy – we want to thank everyone that arranged this.

“When Brian went into his national service, he was a raw recruit but he came out a man and the experiences made a vast difference to his life.”

Veterans Shaun Britton and Neill Watson are leading the project devoted to getting veterans the medals they have earned.

Mr Britton said: “Without Veterans Support Brian would never have received this medal and would have nothing for his family to remember his time in the forces.”

Mr Watson added: “Dementia has had a real effect on Brian but he still remembers his time serving - it would have been scary for him at the Suez Canal, where there were a lot of threats to kill soldiers and a chance he wouldn't come back.

“This is the first medal we’ve managed to capture and I hope it’s the first of many ."