War Hero Les Receives Dutch Liberation Medal at Burlington Court
A century-old war veteran was honoured with a prestigious Dutch medal in a moving ceremony at his care home last week.
Arthur “Les” Hammond, who celebrated his 100th birthday in November shortly after moving into Saxon Suite at Burlington Court Care Home, received the Dutch “Thank You Liberators” medal in recognition of his wartime service in the Netherlands.
The special presentation was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Sander van Hees, Air and Space Attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London, accompanied by Ms Emma van Schaik, Defence Trainee.
Les served with distinction in the British Army during World War II, seeing action across multiple theatres including Normandy and the Netherlands. His remarkable military service has already been recognised by the French Government, who awarded him the Legion d’Honneur several years ago for his role in the Normandy campaign.
The Dutch “Thank You Liberators” medal represents the Netherlands’ ongoing gratitude to the servicemen and women who helped liberate their country over 80 years ago. The medal programme was established to ensure that surviving veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their crucial role in freeing the Dutch people from occupation.
The ceremony provided a wonderful opportunity for Les to share stories of his wartime experiences with his family, friends, and fellow residents. Surrounded by loved ones on a beautiful day, Les listened as tales of his service and the places he travelled during the war were recounted.
The presentation highlighted not only Les’s individual courage and sacrifice, but also the enduring bonds between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, forged through shared struggle and mutual support during one of history’s darkest periods.
For the staff and residents at Burlington Court Care Home, witnessing this recognition of Les’s remarkable service was a privilege and a reminder of the extraordinary lives and experiences of the people in their care.
