THE medals earned by a former commanding officer of the 1st battalion the Green Howards have been donated to the regimental museum by his widow.

Audrey Styles, the wife of the late Colonel Harry Styles OBE, visited the museum in Richmond with her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Tony Lavender, to present the medals to director Lynda Powell.

As well as his OBE, there are his Waziristan Medal with two clasps, the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Burma Star, the Defence Medal and the British War Medal. Also in the collection are the Colonel’s set of miniatures and ribbons.

Harry Styles began his career as a second lieutenant in the Green Howards in August 1935 and by the end of the Second World War he was a major.

From 1955 to 1958, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion while it was stationed in Hong Kong.

There is also a particular link with the Green Howards Museum – Colonel Styles served with Colonel John Forbes, the founder and first curator. The two men were good friends and Colonel Forbes was godfather to Mrs Lavender.

Miss Powell said: "We are very grateful to Mrs Styles for bringing the medals all the way from her home in Kent. They are a splendid addition to our collection, and will be on display in our medal room."