A Second World War veteran is thrilled to be receiving a medal - five decades after serving overseas.
Walter Tyler, 93, received a Canadian Forces Decoration on March 20 during a battalion parade at The Royal Westminster Regiment's Armoury.
"Better late then never," he smiled. "All good things come to those who wait."
Terry Leith, president of the Royal Westminster Regiment Association, said Tyler is receiving a medal he should have received back in 1957. Both men volunteer at the Royal Westminster Regiment Museum.
"Walter was in the museum one day. He was looking at some of the medals. He said, 'I don't have that one,'" Leith recalled. "I looked at it - it was the Canadian Forces Decoration."
Leith, a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration, took up the cause and wrote to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which looks after some military medals. The department replied that the Canadian Forces Decoration comes from the National Defense headquarters and referred the request along.
The process that's been underway for about a year included ensuring Tyler qualified for the medal and clarifying that it wasn't a replacement medal.
"They found he was entitled to it. All they had to do was get approval," Leith said. "Since it got approved, it would go to the mint."
During the process, Tyler received a letter from Ottawa apologizing for a delay in processing the application, noting there had been staff changes and a major reorganization.
"It's a nice medal to get," he said. "Having a record of service, it's kind of nice. Your name is on it."
Tyler had actually attempted to get the medal in the past, but the request was never processed.
"I filled out three forms for the medal," he said. "I don't know what happened. I was pretty sure I was entitled to it."
Having received the medal himself, Leith was committed to ensuring Tyler received the medal he had earned. The medal is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces who have completed 12 years of military service, and meet certain conditions related to good service.
"Once Terry gets a hold of something, he doesn't let go," Tyler smiled. "He is a real goer. The brake pedal is out the door."
Leith was determined to ensure that Tyler received the medal he so rightfully deserved.
"I didn't believe it when he said, 'I never got that one,'" he said. "I was surprised."
Tyler has already received several medals, including: the 1939-45 Star, which is awarded for serving at least six months in active operations; the Italy Star, which is awarded for serving in Italy or Sicily between June 1943 and May 1945; the Defence Medal, which is awarded to Canadians who served in Britain for six months during the Second World War; the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, which is a granted to persons who voluntarily served on active service; and an Efficiency Medal for long service. A different ribbon accompanies each medal.
"It's nice to have," Tyler said. "I have medals form King George VI. I was still serving in the army when Queen Elizabeth took over. Most of the medals mention or have a picture of the King or Queen."
Tyler's newest medal features an image of Queen Elizabeth.
Freshly created at the Royal Canadian Mint, the medal that bears Tyler's name arrived on March 12.
"It's for 12 years of service," Leith said. "For every 10 years after that you get a bar for the medal."
Tyler, who grew up in New Westminster, served in the Second World War with The Royal Westminster Regiment. Later, he helped found the Royal Westminster Regiment Museum in the Armoury.
