101 year old resident reunited with military service medals

On Thursday 15 August one of our residents living at Pennethorne House was awarded with a new set of war medals by the Ministry of Defence. We organised a party with our residents at the retirement scheme to celebrate his extraordinary service to the country.

101-year-old Bill Jones, who has lived in Camden all his life and was born in Mornington Crescent, served in the Royal Navy and was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Burma Star, the Pacific Clasp and the War Medal. After losing the originals in a fire his family arranged for new medals to be presented so that Bill could wear them in this year's Remembrance March .

"I've had an excellent day!" Bill told us as he was reunited with his medals, adding "it's nice to have an excellent day now and again, 11 November I'll be on the march!" He also joked that he wished the Ministry of Defence could replace his knees as well.

The celebration took place at Pennethorne House, where Bill lives in our supported retirement housing in Camden. One of our residents told us, "We are a family - all 33 of us here, we're all living and laughing and crying together."

We also celebrated Babs' birthday, another resident living there who recently turned 88.

Residents, colleagues and Bill's family enjoyed an afternoon party before the medals were presented.