This week, he received a medal! A surprised Mr. Watlington was delighted to receive his eighth campaign medal from the Second World War.

He said: "The Maltese High Commission decided to give medals to commemorate people who served in the War. I sent off for one but I did not know what to expect.

"It arrived this week, 52 years after I served in Malta. It was a surprise.'' Mr. Watlington was a torpedo bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force from 1942 to 1943 on the Mediterranean island which was awarded a George Cross after surviving a massive bombing campaign and blockade by Germany and Italy.

He had originally joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew to the United Kingdom in 1941. He was seconded to the RAF and served in the Med, the Middle East and along the coasts of Denmark, Belgium, Holland and France.

The majority of his medals are commemorative, including an Africa Medal with a bar for his involvement at the Battle of Alamein. But he has a Distinguished Flying Medal for his Malta service.

After the war Mr. Watlington served as a bush flyer in Western Canada before returning to Bermuda in 1960 to take charge of Watlington Water Works.

He retired eight years ago but has retained a directorship in the company.