Trevor wears his wartime medals with pride

­A Powys veteran who fought in the Second World War has relived memories of more than 60 years ago and spoken about how he was re-united with his brother while fighting in Italy.

Trevor Williams, 86, who served with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, recalled his war and how his two brothers and brother-in-law had also been fighting at the same time in different regiments.

Mr Williams, of Welshpool, made the recollections after he was yesterday handed five new medals as substitutes for ones he misplaced, thanks to his friends, members of the Welshpool branch of the Royal British Legion and an anonymous benefactor.

Mr Williams was presented with a new 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 War Medal, 1939-45 Defence Medal, African Star with an eight army clasp and Italy Star, at a surprise ceremony at the town's Corn Exchange after losing his medals when he moved house more than 20 years ago.

He said: "I joined the army when I was 18-year-old and after initial training went to Africa for further training to learn how to cope with the different climate.

"Towards the end of 1943 we went to fight in Italy and it was there in Salerno, where I met my older brother, Elwyn, who was in the Shropshire Light Yeomanry.

"I hadn't seen him for four years and we had a few moments together before we parted again.That for me was one of the highlights of my time in the army.

"I saw some dreadful things during my time in the war and it was something that I don't think anyone can ever be prepared for.

He said after the Second World War ended he had gone onto become the headteacher of Carreghofa Primary School, in Llanymynech.