World War II naval hero, 101, given last medal on day of his funeral

A 101-year-old decorated WW2 veteran was given his last medal - at his funeral. Eddie Palmer was just 15 when he joined the Royal Navy in 1938 as a sailor and trained as an electrician specialising in torpedoes.

He was involved with the hunt for the Bismarck which he said was his scariest moment of the war. Later he was aboard ship in Valletta's Grand Harbour when the ship suffered a direct hit from a German bomber during the Siege Of Malta.

He went on to receive medals The 1939-45 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Italian Star, The Africa Star, The Defence Medal, 1939-45 Service Medal and the MID Oak Leaf. But his last honour - the Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal - arrived as he was laid to rest aged 101.

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Local historian Neil Beaumont secured the medal on his behalf but then discovered that Eddie had died eight days earlier. The medal was given to the family at the dad-of-three's funeral following his death on July 1.

David Palmer, 59, Eddie's son, a software engineer from Sydney, Australia said: "We were really chuffed to receive it. 'It was such a shame that he wasn't alive to receive his medal.

"He managed to survive the rest of the war and his mum was told that he was missing in action. 'But she refused to believe it and everyone else was trying to console her but she knew he was coming home.

"After the war, he got out of the Navy and switched to an electrical engineer which was based in the midlands where he met his wife and was married for 67 years."

In Malta as a sailor great-granddad Eddie dived into the harbour and raced to safety chased by the burning oil. The ship subsequently sank. He remained on the island throughout the siege going on to fit torpedoes to the bombers.

One of them helped end Rommel's North Africa campaign when it sank a supply ship. Eddie, who has five grandchildren, became a huge role model with in his family for his bravery he had shown over the years.

The final medal he received was issued by the Maltese Government. Neil said: "I spoke to a mutual friend who knew the family. I thought this story was incredible and it was told over several meetings with the family.

"In the course of that, I got to see his medals but noticed one was missing and Eddie was entailed to the medal but he hadn't received it. Eddie was very humble, and I thought I would get one for him and his family.''"

The Maltese Government set a strictly limited window in which to apply for the medal but copies were available and that is what Neil was able to secure. His funeral in July was held at Eddie's wife's local church with a room filled with family and friends from different generations.

David said: "There was such a lovely mix of family and friends who helped make it a special and memorable day for mum. The funeral while a sad occasion was a really good celebration of a long and at times eventful life.''"