Coventry Blitz firefighter medal

A Second World War firefighter has finally been recognised for his bravery on the night the Germans bombed Coventry. Ninety-nine-year old Lionel Clarke was on duty when the Luftwaffe bombers struck.

More than 72 years later, he's been honoured by the Fire Service for his heroic rush into Coventry Cathedral, which was ablaze.

A carer and a friend of Lionel Clark – the man recently honoured with a medal for his bravery during the Second World War – say he deserved the recognition for his heroism.

Lionel Clark was a voluntary fireman when he broke into Coventry Cathedral with an axe after it went up in flames following German bombardment.

The 99-year-old's close friend at the Acorn Lodge Care Home in Nuneaton, Joan Mills, says he's not just a hero, but also a hit with the ladies!

A firefighter who attended the Coventry Cathedral blaze during the Second World War has now been awarded a medal for his heroism.

Lionel Clark, who turns 100 in July, was a volunteer fireman during the blitz of Coventry, where over 1,200 people died from German bombardment.

Despite his heroic firefighting during the 1940s, Lionel was never officially recognised – until now.

Lionel lives at the Acorn Lodge Care Home in Nuneaton and spent may years as an employee at the Jaguar Plant at Brown Lane.