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By STACEY MULLEN

A GOVAN war veteran has waited more than seventy years to be awarded with the medal he earned while serving in World War II.

Royal Marine Frank Coyle was recently given the medal he should have received by the Ministry of Defence decades ago - at the age of 90.

The medals were tracked down thanks to The Coming Home Centre who are based in the area's Pearce Institute and offer assistance to veterans of all ages.

Ex-marine Adam Edwards, who is deputy operations manager at The Coming Home Centre, took on Frank's case. The medals were awarded within three months of Adam sending off the correct documentation to the Ministry of Defence.

Frank said: "I feel big headed after getting the medals. It was a special moment after looking all these years for some help."

Great-grandfather Frank, who was married to the late Helen for 58 years, came across the Coming Home Centre thanks to his sister Pat Sarrison.

Frank was sent to war as a young man and fought in South East Asia. He landed in 1945 after the Japanese had surrendered. He was also based in Siam, now known as Thailand, for 18 months during his service.

Frank said: "The Coming Home Centre means everything to me now. When I found out about it, they couldn’t help me enough."

Youngster sister Pat 84, added: "It's wonderful, it has given him a lift."

The Evening Times previously reported that former soldier Adam, who was with the 45 Commando Royal Marines, was shot by the Taliban in Afghanistan before he took on his new role at the charity.

Adam explained that receiving the medals is a strict process as they are approved by the Queen.

After leaving the Royal Marines, Frank had received a naval general service medal, South East Asia, 1945 to 1946.

The other medal that was missing was the 1939 to 1945, which is known as the war medal for those who served during World War II.

The Coming Home Centre arranged for a deputy commandant general to award Frank with his medals recently.

Adam said: "Frank arrived and there was still war happening. He had to deal with threat and he was wounded in that period. He was shot by enemy forces and contracted Malaria."

He added: "Most men of Frank's generation did not collect their medals, they left service and moved on with their lives. More are becoming aware of it now especially when they have their own grandchildren and want to show them.

"It was a pleasure to help an elderly gentleman who is polite and smart, and represents all the things of a generation. It fills me with pride to help him and he is a fellow Royal Marine."