A former Herald Express sub-editor, who served in Egypt during the 1950s, has finally received his Suez Canal campaign medal.

Kenneth Cox joined a campaign in 2001 to call for recognition for the soldiers, sailors and airmen who took part in protecting the Suez Canal before it was finally nationalised in 1956 by the Egyptian president, Col Nasser.

He was among 12 other RAF regiment gunners who finished their training who was aboard the troopship Dilwara which docked at Port Said in February 1954.

As part of the appeal Kenneth wrote a feature for the Torquay newspaper describing life in the canal zone.

In it he said: "Whether we deserve to be awarded a medal or not is not for me to say.

"Looking back to those days, I think we men were all pleased to have done our duty professionally and returned to our families and loved ones in one piece. That beats a shiny medal any time."

He said he served in the canal zone for Queen and country and never expected to get a medal.

But he added: "However, if Her Majesty was now gracious enough to send a medal in recognition of my service then this pensioner is grateful to accept it."

His "shiny medal" has finally arrived – and it's stamped with his service number, name and rank.