WW2 bomb disposal specialist has missing medals replaced by his successor Navy unit
The missing medals of a 100-year-old World War Two veteran have been replaced by the Royal Navy when he paid a visit to Portsmouth.
Boyd Salmon, a former bomb disposal serviceman who specialised in clearing mines and unexploded bombs, shells and other ordnance, visited the naval base where he discussed his exploits with his successor unit and was given replicas of his lost medals.
He was called a "genuine living hero" by Commander Sean Heaton, the Commanding Officer of the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group.
Having joining the Royal Navy at the age of 17, Mr Salmon is one of the few remaining members of the elite Enemy Mine Section.
During the Second World War as part of that unit he was responsible for clearing explosive threats on the shores and also worked on convoy duties.
He later transferred to HMS Vernon where he was tasked with clearing the beaches, shores and harbours around Normandy that had been protected with what German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel called 'the devil's gardens'.
These threats included mines, explosive devices and booby traps designed to stop the Allied invasion.
Mr Salmon was invited back to Portsmouth after his service record was discovered by veteran clearance diver Ginge Fullen.
On Horsea Island, in Portsmouth, he met members of the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group who are the successors to the WW2 veteran and his elite team.
When the group heard how his medals had been lost over the years, they gave him a series of replicas in a presentation case.
His daughter Nicola was with him when he received the replacement medals.
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