Hywel Francis

Labour Party | Aberavon

Local MP Presents Veterans Badge to New Zealand Visitor

Dr Francis presents Mr Thomas with his Veterans Badge outside the Constituency Office at Eagle House

Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, recently presented the Veterans Badge to New Zealand resident, Mr Lyn Thomas.

Mr Thomas, originally from Cwmafan, began his National Service in the RAF in1954. He later met his New Zealander wife Marjorie while teaching in Markfield School, Tottenham, before settling in New Zealand in 1964. He now lives in Huntly, 60 miles south of Auckland, where he spent 34 years teaching at the local college before retiring.

Mr Thomas’ cousin Mr Malcolm Gullam, himself a Veterans Badge holder, helped in obtaining the badge for Mr Thomas.

Dr Francis said,

“I was delighted to be able to meet Mr Thomas recently and to present him with his Veterans Badge on his visit to his home town of Port Talbot from New Zealand.”

“The Veterans Badge is available to anyone who enlisted in the Armed Forces up to and including 31/12/84. Anyone who is eligible for the badge can contact me at my Constituency Office at Eagle House, 2 Talbot Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1TG, or by telephone on 01639 897660, and I will make the application on their behalf.”