A D-Day hero who downed a Nazi bomb during WW2 has received new war medals 55 years after the originals were stolen.
Tony Bird, 101, served in the Royal Navy during the conflict.
He fought in the liberation of France as a sub Lieutenant Gunnery Officer on board corvette HMS Clematis.
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It escorted landing craft in the initial wave of troops to the beaches off Arromanches and shepherded the Pluto fuel pipe vessels to the Mulberry caissons.
The vessel came under repeated fire from the Germans and he had a near miss when a bullet flew past his head while on its bridge.
But in return sharp shooter Mr Bird shot down a Nazi V1 flying bomb which crashed into the sea.
He served in the Far East following the surrender of Germany, as reported by Need To Know.
He left the Royal Navy in 1946 to enter the family agricultural engineering business.
He moved from Gloucestershire to Pembrokeshire in 1970 and put his belongings including his service medals in storage because the house he’d bought wasn’t ready.
But his five medals, including the Arctic Star and the Burma Star, were stolen and never found.
Now the veteran from Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire, has been presented with a new set in a special event held by the Military Veterans Club Cymru in Glanaman, Carmarthenshire.
Club chairman Owen Dobson, said Mr Bird was very modest and wanted no fuss.
“Like many world war two veterans Tony is very modest but we managed to get him to the ceremony.
“It’s vitally important the things they did for our freedom today should never be forgotten.”
Mr Bird was touched by the presentation, saying: “They very kindly replaced them for me.
“I’m delighted.
“My children will be very pleased to have them.”
The medals were presented by Royal Navy Commodore Tristram Kirkwood OBE ADC.
And Owen Dobson added Mr Bird still had a keen eye.
“He goes target shooting with us and regularly scores 94 out of 100,” he said.
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