Sprowston WW2 veteran receives Dutch Medal of Liberation

Ray Parke, 98, a flight engineer who flew more than 40 missions in a Lancaster Bomber, has been awarded the Dutch Medal of Liberation.

Ray was awarded the medal by Wing Commander Martine Verhulst from the Dutch Embassy who hailed his service in the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944 as well as freeing her own homeland of Zeeland.

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He was joined by his children, grandchildren and invited guests for the ceremony at the Warren care home in Sprowston where Ray lives.

Ray Parke was presented with the Dutch Medal of Liberation by Wing Commander Martine Verhulst from the Dutch Embassy (Image: Stephen Ames)

Tales of his past were told by Wing Commander Verhulst who presented Ray with a series of pictures of the land he fought over and freed, bringing tears to the eyes of both he and those in attendance.

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Following the presentation of the medal, Wing Commander Verhulst said she did her best to tell Ray’s story the way it deserves to be told.

Ray Parke was joined by his children, grandchildren and friends as he was presented the Dutch Medal of Liberation at the Warren care home in Sprowston (Image: Stephen Ames)

“We step into a family’s life and want to honour his work and the stories he lived through with his mates," she said.

“It was an honour to present him with the award and keep his story alive.”

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The medal was instituted by royal decree in December 1980 to mark the 35th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation.

Ray Parke's Dutch Medal of Liberation, top, alongside his other medals (Image: Stephen Ames)

For Ray, the ceremony was his last major event from a year that has included trips to Duxford Imperial War Museum, meeting the King at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and taking a starring role in the Remembrance Day service in Thorpe St Andrew.

Speaking after receiving his medal, an emotional Ray said: “The only thing I have left to add that hasn’t been said, is when I see those pictures and hear those stories, I think: I was there and I helped them when they needed help so badly.”