108-Year-Old Veteran Lucie Fuller Gets World War II Medal After 80 Years in Canada

A 108-year-old Canadian veteran, Lucie Fuller, received her WWII medal 80 years late. This is a very long time to wait for recognition.
By Newsroom | World War II, Canada |

A Canadian woman, now 108 years old, has received a medal from Britain for her service during the Second World War. The award comes nearly 80 years after the conflict ended, highlighting a lengthy delay in official recognition.

Lucie Anna Joan Fuller, a resident at Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home, was presented with the 1939-45 war medal. This recognition acknowledges her wartime duties as a radar operator with Britain's Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Fuller is believed to be among the oldest individuals to receive this specific medal.

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Service and Recognition

  • Lucie Anna Joan Fuller served for two years during World War II.

  • Her training took place at RAF Cranwell.

  • She was primarily stationed at RAF Castlerock in Northern Ireland.

  • Her role involved detecting and plotting aircraft movements.

  • Fuller took an early discharge on compassionate grounds to care for her ill mother shortly before the war concluded.

The presentation of the medal took place at Wellington Terrace, attended by friends and family. Officials suggest that the medal may have been overlooked previously because Fuller left England after the war and might not have been aware she was entitled to it.

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Unanswered Questions on Delayed Award

While the exact reasons for the delay remain unclear, reports indicate that Fuller's entitlement to the medal may have been missed when she left England.

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"Harper said Fuller's medal was probably missed because she left England and didn’t realize she was entitled to one."

This statement suggests a potential administrative oversight or a lack of awareness on Fuller's part regarding the application process for such awards. Further investigation into the official channels for medal applications and distribution during that post-war period might shed light on why this recognition was not conferred sooner.

A Lifetime of Service and Experience

Fuller's wartime experience included operating radar systems, a critical function during the conflict.

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"Despite these hardships, Joan continued her service until taking an early discharge on compassionate grounds to care for her ill mother shortly before the war’s end."

The provided summaries note that her service was "very interesting," though she did not directly detect enemy planes from her specific post. After the war, she met and married Christoper Fuller, who had served in Italy and Africa.

Significance of the Medal

The 1939-45 war medal is awarded for a minimum of 28 days of full-time service during the Second World War, between September 1939 and September 1945. Fuller's receipt of this medal, at the age of 108, marks a significant personal milestone and an unusual footnote in the history of wartime recognition.

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Expert Analysis

Information from the provided articles does not include expert analysis on the specific circumstances of the delayed medal.

Conclusion

Lucie Anna Joan Fuller, at 108 years old, has been recognized with a Second World War medal from Britain for her service as a radar operator. The award, presented nearly 80 years after the war, highlights a significant delay in acknowledging her contribution. While the precise cause of this delay is not definitively stated, it is speculated that Fuller's departure from England after the war may have contributed to her not receiving the medal sooner. This event underscores the importance of ensuring all eligible veterans receive their due recognition, regardless of the time elapsed.

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