A HAMPSHIRE pensioner who helped protect his community during the Second World War is about to be honoured - almost 60 years after the event.

Arthur Williams, 90, led a group of part-time firefighters at Marchwood where homes and factories were under the constant threat of incendiary bombs.

Thousands of people who served on the Home Front between 1939 and 1945 were later awarded the Defence Medal but Mr Williams missed out.

Now his role will finally be recognised at a special ceremony next Monday at which he will receive his long-overdue gong.

Mr Williams was a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) created in 1938 to help regular firefighters during the looming war with Germany.

Members fought nightly battles to prevent towns and villages being consumed by flames.

Enemy bombs rained down on the Waterside area during attempts to destroy the Royal Naval Armaments Depot and other prime local targets such as Southampton Docks and the Supermarine aircraft factory at Woolston.

All Saints Church, Dibden, was wrecked on June 20 1940. It achieved the dubious honour of being the first church in Britain to be destroyed by enemy action.

The Marchwood firefighters were based at Woodside Lodge, Tavells Lane, but moved to a new site at Bolhinton Avenue after their original headquarters was bombed.

Mr Williams, of Park Lane, Marchwood, said: "I was in charge of a dozen volunteers, only two of whom had cars.

"After work we had to be on duty and ready to deal with anything that happened on the night. On one occasion we were sent to gather up propaganda leaflets that had been dropped in the area and were covering a local churchyard."

German targets in neighbouring Southampton were often too close for comfort.

Mr Williams added: "I was pushing my bike up Bramshott Hill when a procession of enemy bombers attacked the Supermarine factory across the water.

"I can remember seeing bits of the factory being blown into the air by the force of the explosions."

Mr Williams will receive his Defence Medal from Hampshire's Chief Fire Officer Malcolm Eastwood at Hythe fire station - currently the nearest one to Marchwood.

Similar medals were awarded at the end of the war to people who had served in the Home Guard and other civilian units.

Mr Williams's daughter, Judy Saxby, of Pooksgreen, Marchwood, said: "Those who wanted a medal had to write off for one, but dad never did.

"Last year he was watching the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance from the Albert Hall on television when it stirred up memories.

"The following day he mentioned his service in the AFS and said he could have got a medal."

Mrs Saxby established that people who joined the AFS, which eventually became part of the National Fire Service, were eligible for the Defence Medal.

She added: "Applicants have to prove that they were in the fire service because there's no official record of who served in the organisation. Luckily we're a family of hoarders and I was able to produce the relevant paperwork."

Mrs Saxby is delighted that her father is finally going to get the medal he should have received in 1945.

"It's a bit of recognition for people who did a day's work and then spent all night on duty in case there was a fire," she said.