Centenarian Veteran Finally Honored with Long-Overdue WWII Medal
In a remarkable ceremony that bridged eight decades of history, 108-year-old Joan Fuller was recently presented with the 1939-1945 war medal she earned while serving Britain during the Second World War. The presentation makes Fuller one of the oldest living recipients of this distinguished military honor, finally receiving recognition that was lost in the chaos of post-war demobilization and international relocation.
A Chance Meeting Leads to Historical Correction
The journey to this belated recognition began when Beau Harper, a teacher from Peterborough and founder of the veteran history organization Soldier Search, met Fuller at a Remembrance Day service in Mount Hope, Ontario. Harper was immediately struck by the 107-year-old veteran who was still living independently at the time.
"Her memory was fantastic," Harper recalled. "She was walking around her home with her walker, and she had so many interesting stories to tell."
During their conversation, Harper discovered that Fuller had never received her war medal despite her service. Born Lucie Anna Joan Belmar in England in 1918, Fuller had joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1943, serving as a radar operator responsible for detecting and identifying aircraft during the conflict.
The Missing Medal Mystery
After the war, Fuller emigrated to Canada with her soon-to-be husband in 1947, settling initially in Burlington. Amid the massive demobilization and international relocations following the conflict, her medal was somehow missed in the distribution process.
"I'd asked her, 'Where's your medal?' and she said she never got one," Harper explained. "I knew right away that she'd be entitled to at least one."
The 1939-1945 war medal was awarded to those who completed at least 28 days of service between September 3, 1939, and September 2, 1945. Harper believes Fuller was likely overlooked because she left Britain shortly after the war ended, before the medal distribution was complete.
Swift Government Response
Harper contacted his friend Kyle Scott, who assists veterans in securing replacement medals, and together they reached out to the British Ministry of Defence. The response was surprisingly swift.
"I was so impressed," Harper said. "The government can be very slow, but this medal arrived on my doorstep just two or three weeks after we put in the request."
On February 12, 2024, Fuller was formally presented with the medal she had earned more than 80 years earlier. Now living in Fergus, Ontario, the centenarian veteran expressed surprise at the recognition.
"I had no idea I was even being considered until about two or three days ago," Fuller told local media. "Apparently, when they were giving them out in England, they couldn't find me because I had already immigrated to Canada, and that's why it's so late."
Preserving History Before It's Lost
Harper, who started Soldier Search several years ago driven by what he describes as an "immense passion" for Canadian military history, sees Fuller's story as emblematic of the importance of documenting veterans' experiences before they're lost to time.
His organization interviews veterans and publishes their stories online, creating a permanent record of their service and sacrifices. Harper's students even created cards to accompany Fuller's medal presentation.
"I really hope that when I leave, they're just a little bit more proud of what they've done and proud of their service," Harper said of the veterans he works with.
The presentation to Joan Fuller serves as both a correction of historical oversight and a reminder of the importance of recognizing service, no matter how much time has passed. At 108 years old, Fuller represents a living connection to a pivotal moment in world history, finally receiving the honor she earned while helping defend freedom during one of humanity's darkest chapters.
