A VETERAN from Weymouth has finally presented with his Legion d’Honneur 10 months after the medal got lost in the post.

Fredrick Smith, 95, was presented with the Legion d’Honneur at his Weymouth nursing home this afternoon.

It was awarded in a ceremony led by Cllr Richard Kosior, mayor of Weymouth and Portland and a former serviceman himself.

In congratulating Mr Smith, he was joined by residents and staff at Danmore Lodge Nursing Home as well as members of the D-day veteran's family - from his daughter to his great granddaughter.

His daughter, Sandy Waller, said: “Dad doesn’t really think he deserves it, though it is an honour.

“He’s a little overwhelmed, especially to see the whole family here together.

“It was my cousin who’s in the RAF who arranged the medal.

“He had heard the French government were awarding serviceman involved in the liberation of France the honour.”

When the French government had assessed Mr Smith’s claim and found it valid, they sent off a medal to his Weymouth home.

But the accolade made its way to his former address and bounced back to France - around 10 months ago.

Leading aircraftsman Smith was a member o the RAF Regiment and was posted in Normandy in June 1944.

His job was to protect recently captured airfields from enemy attacks as the Allied forces swept across Europe.

After the Second World War, he was employed by the Admiralty at Portland Naval Base and would cycle to work every day.

He retired at 65 and took up a job on the door at the Wellworthy Social Club, Dumbarton Road continuing to ride his bike into work.

Mrs Waller said: “I made him retire when he was 82.

“He was always a very active man. I say about him, if he could run anywhere, why would he walk.”

At the ceremony, Cllr Kosior said: “It’s an honour to be in my position and to be here.

“Like Fred, I’m an ex-serviceman so I can empathise and know exactly what’s going through Fred’s mind when receiving honours like this.”