Lincolnshire woman receives WW2 medal after almost 80 years

A Lincolnshire woman has finally been recognised for her service during World War Two.

Evelyn Hillier, 97, was presented with a medal by an officer from the RAF in a ceremony at a care home near Stamford.

Ms Hillier said she did not think she had served for long enough to get a medal.

"It's a bit late, but I was pleased to get the medal. It's important to have it because people then know that I was in the Air Force," she said.

Ms Hillier volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at the age of 17 in 1944 and went on to serve for three years, working in the Officers' Mess at RAF North Weald in Kent.

There she got to know the famous fighter ace, Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, who was Station Commander.

"He was very kind," she said.

"They had dances at the Officers' Mess and he always sent a steward into the kitchen to buy us a drink."

During her service with the WAAF she also performed on the stage in gang shows, alongside Tony Hancock and Dick Emery before they became household names.

Ms Hillier's son John Blackwell said the family thought it would be nice to investigate whether she was entitled to a medal for her wartime service.

After writing to the Ministry of Defence on her behalf, they discovered that she qualified for the War Medal 1939-1945 which was presented to her by Wing Commander Nicola Duncan, Station Commander at RAF Wittering.

"It was a fantastic surprise," he said.

"Mum knew nothing about it."

She is now able to wear her medal to mark the 79th anniversary of VE Day, when Britain celebrated the end of the war in Europe.

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