A Guiseley First World War veteran has expressed disappointment at not receiving a medal of honour from the French Government in time for Remembrance Day.

Harry Holmes, 101, of Tranbeck Road, who took 17 prisoners during one day on the Western Front in 1916 and was injured twice, should have received the special Legion of Honour two weeks ago.

But the news is not all bad for the ex-

bookmaker who served as an infantryman with the Duke of Wellington's Own West Yorkshire regiment in France during the 1914-18 war. He has now been told he should get the medal, being given to surviving veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great War, in time for Christmas.

Apparently there had been a mix-up with the paper work but his granddaughter Christine Crump, of Hurst Road, Bexley, Kent, said the matter was in hand and the necessary documents had been completed and sent to the French Embassy in London.

"We are now just waiting for confirmation that granddad will receive his medal. I have been in touch with the National British Legion because granddad does not feel he can travel to London for the presentation and would prefer to receive his medal either at Guiseley or somewhere local," she said.

"The French Embassy's intention is to award medals by the end of this year," she added.

David Durrans, field officer of the West Yorkshire Area of the Royal British Legion said he was still awaiting confirmation regarding Mr Holmes' medal. "It will be sent to me and as soon as I receive it then I will let Mr Holmes know.

"There is a possibility Mr Holmes will be asked to go to the Town Hall at Bradford to receive his medal from John Lyles, the Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire.

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