Family pride as dad’s war medals presented

THREE war medals have been presented to the son of a soldier who served in the Second World War.

Private Ernest Townsend, from Derker, never received the 1939-45 medal, the France and Germany star and the 1939-45 star he earned for guarding Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials and other duties.

But the Royal British Legion has now honoured him at a special service at Chadderton Town Hall.

Major Eddy Hardaker and the chairman of Oldham Royal British Legion, Trevor Warren, presented the medals to Mr Townsend’s son Ernie, watched by his brothers and sisters.

It took Ernie and his partner, Suzi Banks, 12 months to piece together the history which enabled them to rightfully claim Ernest’s medals from the Ministry of Defence.