A veteran has finally received his Second World War medals - at the age of 95 . Former army cook Harry Weston mistakenly believed he had left it too late to request them after finishing his military service in 1946 . But nearly 70 years after the end of the conflict , a local historian applied on his behalf , and he was finally awarded them . War veteran Harry Weston , 95 , pictured with his wife Margaret , after finally receiving his medals . Mr Weston enlisted in the Army Catering Corps cook in 1940 and served in Scotland until 1946 . During his time in the army , he and four other cooks prepared meals three times a day for a battalion of over 700 soldiers . He was based in Shetland and Orkney during the war and after completing his service returned home to Greetham , Rutland . David Bland was researching Mr Weston 's history when he discovered that he had never received his gongs and wrote to the Ministry of Defence last month . Just a few days later shiny Defence Medal and War Medal arrived at the home Mr Weston shares with his wife Margaret . David Bland and his son Paul are writing a village history book called Greetham and the Great War . Paul Bland said : 'Harry was a bit surprised , but delighted to get his medals . He was really pleased . ' I imagine even 10 years after the war he might have thought it was too late . 'Harry had just got on with his life and had forgotten about it . We thought it was time to put it right . ' Greetham and the Great War will be released in e-book form later this year . Mr Weston , pictured with his wife , as a young solider . During his time in the Army Catering Corps he cooked three meals a day for 700 soldiers . Mr Weston 's War medal , pictured left , and the Defence medal , pictured right , which he received after 70 years .
Harry Weston , 95 , was in the Army Catering Corps from 1940 until 1946 . His team prepared three meals daily for a battalion of over 700 soldiers . Never received his medals and thought it was too late to apply for them . Local historian wrote to Ministry of Defence on his behalf last month . Mr Weston received his Defence Medal in the post .