A HUNTER war veteran has been awarded a medal and certificates from the state and federal governments marking 75 years since the end of World War II.
Alexander White, 99, recieved the honours at a surprise ceremony at his Woodlands Lodge aged-care home in Wallsend on Monday.
Federal Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery and Peter Taylor from the Cardiff RSL Sub Branch attended the event.
Mr White enlisted in the Army at the aged of 19 in 1941. He was in the 2nd/19 battalion C-Company, which was known as "the pioneer platoon" being the first to enter enemy terrain and the last to leave.
Mr White fought in Johor Bahru and was captured in Singapore on February 15, 1942. He was sent to a number of different POW camps with the last being the infamous Burma Railway camp until his release on August 15, 1945.
Mr White's daughter, granddaughter and great grandsons attended the ceremony on Monday, along with a number of his fellow residents.
He was surprised by the event and remarked many times that he did not deserve it. He finished the morning tea with a bottle of his favourite beer.
