A World War II veteran, Harry Neal, has finally received his service medals a remarkable 80 years after his time on the home front. Now approaching his 100th birthday this weekend, Neal played a vital role in manning an artillery gun on the Hawkesbury River, defending against the possible threat of Japanese submarines.
Despite his crucial contributions during the war, Neal, whose service had gone unacknowledged for decades, had never disclosed his military history to his son, Jim. It was only recently, when Jim uncovered details of his father’s wartime efforts, that he reached out to the defence department for proper recognition of Neal’s service.
Today, the long-overdue presentation of his medals took place in a heartfelt ceremony at his care home in Toongabbie, located to the west of Sydney. Surrounded by family and friends, Neal expressed his gratitude, stating, “Wonderful recognition… I’m proud to receive it.”
Reflecting on his wartime experience, Neal mentioned that he believed his service might not have been of interest to his family. However, the discovery by Jim has allowed this unsung hero to finally receive the honour he deserves, highlighting not only the passage of time but also the importance of acknowledging the contributions of those who served at home during the war.