6 March 2017 14:15 PM
100-year-old war hero and Olympic runner from Cowfold, Bill Lucas, has been awarded a West Sussex Certificate of Achievement - an honour presented only a handful of times each year.
Bill flew 81 life-threatening missions during World War II as a bomber and path finder pilot and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He then went on to represent Great Britain at the 1948 Olympics in London competing in the 5,000 metres and is the country’s oldest Olympian.
Susan Pyper, Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, and Pat Arculus, Chairman of West Sussex County Council presented Bill with the certificate last Friday. They were joined by Lionel Barnard, County Councillor for Henfield and Vice Chairman of the County Council, who nominated Bill for the award.
Pat Arculus said: “Bill is a remarkable man and it’s a pleasure to be here recognising that. There is a tremendous amount of pride and gratitude in this room today for a man who so selflessly served his country. It’s incredible to see what he has achieved in 100 years. He is an inspiration for us all.”
Bill said: “I’m quite honoured really. It’s unexpected.” Born in 1917, he discovered his passion for running at school. His father had been in the army as a Sergeant in the Northamptonshire Regiment and himself was awarded a Military Medal for saving his Commanding Officer.
Bill lives in Cowfold with his wife Sheena. He is President of the Royal Air Force Association branch in Haywards Heath.
Click here to watch some excerpts from the award ceremony.
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