A PROUD veteran of the Second World War has been honoured with a medal on his 100th birthday.
John Gudgeon was surprised with the award of an honorary Buchan Medal as he celebrated the milestone with family and friends.
John served in the 16th/5th Royal Lancers from 1943. A tank driver in B Squadron, John fought in the Battle of Fondouk in March 1943 where he was wounded. Thereafter he served throughout the Italian campaign until the end of the war.
On leaving the Army, John worked briefly at Barratts boot and shoe factory in Northampton before moving to Rugby. Having qualified as an electrical engineer at night school, he then worked in drawing offices, and ended his career as a Section Leader in the Control Gear and Projects department at British Thomson-Houston.
He married Joyce Hobson, a nurse, in July 1949. They had two girls, Hilary and Jacqueline. John has four granddaughters and three great grandsons.
His daughter Jacqueline Price said: “When dad learnt that he was getting the medal, he felt honoured – but thought ‘why me?’ He didn’t think that he deserved it.”
His earliest memory of Rugby is visiting the old Rugby swimming baths in Regent Place with his cousins when he was eight.
He says the most dramatic change he has seen in his life is how mobile phones have replaced encyclopaedias, dictionaries, radios, tv and cameras.
Jacqueline added: “He has many stories of his time as a tank driver. Some are amusing for us now, such as going to sleep under his tank but waking up in the morning with wet feet because it had rained in the night and a river had formed where they were sleeping.”
He has kept busy with his hobby of wood turning, enjoying seeing the result of changing a piece of wood into something useful. He has made tables, plates, bowls, cups and much more besides.
His tip for a long life is never to smoke. “In the army they were given tins of cigarettes,” said Jacqueline. “He swapped some for a haircut and also for a clock from a German staff car, which he still has today.
“He has certainly been a special influence to me as I have grown up,” she added.
His granddaughters Michelle and Nicola said: “Grandad is the heart of our family and loved by so many. We are so proud that he has reached this incredible milestone.
“Grandad has always talked so fondly of his time in the army so it was wonderful to witness him receiving this very special honour.”
The Buchan Medal is a new internal award given to officers or soldiers from The Royal Lancers who have contributed to the efficiency or military honour of the Regiment over a prolonged period.
It was presented to John by Major Thomas Pritchard and Captain Alexander Aldridge, with Regimental Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Nick Everard, also in attendance.
