ONE of the last surviving crew members of Britain's famous Lancaster bombers is to be presented with a replacement medal from the Netherlands ambassador - at the age of 98 but said he continues to go unrecognized by the UK.
Now living in a care home in Hooe, Plymouth, Ivor Foster qualified as an air gunner in June 1944 at the age of 19, and went on to fly 16 missions, including perilous bombing runs over Nazi-occupied Germany.
As he did not complete training until after D-Day, he was among thousands of volunteer servicemen who were ineligible for the Air Crew Europe Star, which was given to crews who served from 1939 up until Operation Overlord, in 1944.
Mr Foster was awarded the 'Thank You Liberators 1945' medal by the ambassador of the Netherlands at the time, for his service.
Unfortunately, a move into a care home more than two years ago meant the medal and certificate - as well as other memorabilia of his RAF service - was lost.
However, a replacement medal and certificate has been obtained from the current Netherlands ambassador, Karel Van Oosterom, and is being handed over to Mr Foster at The Retreat care home in Hooe this week by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Mark Shayer.
This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STRIKER CRISIS
GRAY IS NOW THE ONLY FIT FRONTMAN AT HOME PARK
Injuries have left Pilgrims very light in attack
GRAY IS THE ONLY FIT STRIKER AS ARGYLE HIT THE FESTIVE PERIOD
Raiders ends year on a high with victory over the Cobras
PLYMOUTH Raiders got into the Christmas spirit on Sunday with their first competitive game since the win over the Patriots, and they were looking to give the sell-out crowd who packed into the Life Centre an early Christmas gift of a win.
Local lad Trigger returns to Plymouth to ride for Centurians
PLYMOUTH speedway have confirmed the seven riders that will make up their National Development Trophy team for the 2025 season and there is a welcome return for homegrown racer Ben Trigger.
Loyalty card issue for Morrisons
MORRISONS has cut the price of items including turkeys and Champagne for all shoppers, after a system glitch hit its loyalty card yesterday, but some customers may face delayed Christmas orders.
King's focus is on value of health
THE King's Christmas message will focus on the efforts of healthcare workers, following a year that saw Charles and the Princess of Wales treated for cancer.
'Challenge' for Reeves
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has described the \"challenge\" of fixing the economy as \"huge\", after revised official figures showed that the UK economy flatlined in the third quarter of the year.
Santa Bus 'unsafe to drive'
MECHANICAL FAULT STOPS FESTIVE BUS IN ITS TRACKS
A time of hope and goodwill
Spirit of generosity at heart of Christian faith
We need to be ambitious for Plymouth
We asked city MPs and the city council's leader to write their Christmas messages for residents. Here's what they said...
