They were known as the 'Forgotten Army' but now veterans of the Suez Emergency will be able to wear their long-awaited medals alongside their poppies on Sunday.

Harry Bolton, 71, from Shipley, received his medal on Monday - more than 50 years after he served with the Royal Artillery in Egypt, defending military bases from guerrilla attacks.

The Suez Emergency, which preceded the Suez Crisis of 1956, saw more than 200,000 troops deployed and 300 men killed between 1951 and 1954.

But the soldiers were given no recognition by the Government until now.

Mr Bolton was 19 when he was posted to the Suez Canal during his National Service. He was there for eight months, during which he rose to the rank of bombardier.

"We were guarding British installations because the Egyptians were trying to get us out and take control of the Suez canal," he said.

"As a 19-year-old, everything you were told to do, you did, and you didn't argue or question it. You were on guard for 12 hours, you came straight off that and did a 24-hour guard and in between a road patrol. We were called out on Christmas Day, halfway through dinner, and we didn't come back for three and a half months.

"It was active service. You took down your regimental ranks in case you were captured. You even went to the toilet with your gun strapped to your wrist.

"These medals will mean a lot to a lot of people."

Mr Bolton's brother Billy served with him in Egypt but died last year.

To claim a medal, veterans need to apply to the Army Medal Office, Government Office Buildings, Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 8AU, with their details, including their army number.