A 101-year-old World War Two veteran from Eastbourne will receive a special medal from the Dutch Embassy, 82 years on from his service.

Paul Terry of the 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps will be presented with the “Thank You Liberator” medal by the Dutch Embassy to the United Kingdom on Friday (November 13).

Paul served from D-Day +9 (nine days after the initial Normandy landings), landing on Gold Beach, and progressed towards Arnhem in the summer of 1944. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps were part of XXX Corps, the ground corps in Operation Market Garden.

Operation Market Garden was a daring airborne operation in the summer of 1944, in which the Allies attempted to cross the River Rhine and advance deep into northern Germany.

placeholder image — Paul Terry, 101. Photo: Wilco Tak

While Market Garden ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, troops like Paul demonstrated immense courage and bravery during the operation.

In January 1945, Paul was wounded on the border of Germany and the Netherlands.

He was next to his trench when German 88 landed right by him, the blast blowing him back into the trench, severely wounding his leg. He was evacuated and brought home.

He recalls waking up in the Wolverhampton General Hospital to see his twin brother, Peter, standing over him. It was the first time the brothers had seen each other in the two years since their training.

Paul said of his service: “It was hell on earth; we were all scared stiff. I don't think about it much, but I know I was one of the lucky ones, and we must never forget.”

The Castle Inn Pub in Pevensey Bay will host Paul along with many family and friends, including guests from the Dutch Embassy, the Netherlands and some veterans from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans at 11am.

Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP by Wednesday (November 11) to [email protected].