MP MEETS WW1 VETS

4.12.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Apr 2003

Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, today presented 104 year old World War One veteran Fred Lloyd with a certificate showing he had been awarded the Legion d'Honneur at the National Archives in Kew.

"I don't know why they took so long to give you this," the MP joked, "Perhaps they ran out of paper during World War One."The MP went on to speak of her admiration for the British Forces currently serving in the Gulf.

"They are the most professional and competent troops in the world," she said. "We can be totally proud of them."Mr Lloyd and several of his fellow survivors of the Great War, were at the National Archives (formerly known as the Public Records Office) to attend an educational event organised by the Dark Horse Venture charity and the World War One Veterans Association.

Now aged between 102 and 108, the veterans spent the day sharing memories and experiences before "throwing the torch" to future generations by handing their collection of taped memories to the Charity.Veterans also met the Prince of Wales – sadly the MP was unable to stay to join them. "I wouldn't normally dream of standing up the Prince of Wales," the MP apologised, "but I had to attend a long-arranged case conference about a very disabled child. "

"I'm sure the Prince understood, and in any case, he's here to see Fred and his friends, not me!" For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on pager number 07699 734071 or Serena Hennessy on: 0208332 7919 Notes for Editors:

Picture shows Dr Jenny Tonge with 104 year old World War One veteran Fred Lloyd Clea Relly National Archives Press Office 020 8392 5277 The Dark Horse Venture 0151 729 0092