A 100-year-old former merchant seaman has received his war medals – seven decades after earning them.

Victor George, of Crownhill in Plymouth, has been presented with four medals for service during the Second World War.

A civilian seaman in the Merchant Navy, he sailed on vessels carrying vital troops, food, fuel and equipment to Allied countries around the world.

He was injured when his steamship the Empire Whimbrel was sunk by a German U-boat off West Africa in 1943.

The pensioner said he was sent notification of his medals after the war – but did not claim them as he felt there were more deserving people.

He has finally received them from the Government with the help of his daughter Christine, his neighbours and Plymouth Age Concern.

He has received the Pacific Star, Atlantic Star, 1939-45 Star and the War Medal (1939-45).

Mr George, a widower, said: "I don't really know why I didn't claim the medals. I suppose I'd had enough of the war.

"Also, being a civilian and not part of the Royal Navy or the Army, I didn't feel like I had been in the services.

"There were others who did much more.

"It's really my daughter who wanted me to have them. She's the only person I've got left of the Georges. I suppose she wants something to remember."

Mr George joined the Merchant Navy aged 16 and travelled the world several times over before the Second World War began. He recalled the night the Empire Whimbrel was sunk. It was April 11, his 32nd birthday.

"We were travelling with a cargo of frozen meat and foodstuffs from Buenos Aires for Freetown at Sierra Leone, Africa," he said. "From there we were to go into a convoy coming back to England.

"I was near where the torpedo hit. It blew me over and broke my shoulder.

"I can't remember much because I was unconscious. Most of the time I was flaked out in the bottom of the lifeboat."

The 5,983-tonne Empire Whimbrel was hit by two torpedoes from the U-181 submarine at 5.56am. The Germans questioned the survivors before opening fire with the deck gun at 7.15am. The ship sank 15 minutes later. The 53 crew members were picked up by HMS Wolverine and HMS Witch.

Mr George, who has outlived two wives, held a number of jobs after the war. He once ran the Royal Sovereign pub in Union Street and helped to construct the Tamar Bridge.