AN Okehampton pension had a super surprise when he opened his post last week — a commendation from the president of Croatia, in recognition of his wartime efforts in Yugoslavia more than 50 years ago.
Jack Pavely, 83, said he had no idea the certificate of merit was to be awarded to him.
'It's marvellous,' he said. 'It beats all the medals I've got.'
Jack served with the combined forces attached to President Tito's army of liberation between 1943 and 1945.
He reckons probably only about 30 similar certificates would have been awarded to veterans like him by President Stjepan Mesic.
'There's not many of us left now!' he said.
'The original certificate was sent to the ambassador in London in December and they've only just got round to distributing copies to the people who were involved.
'I was amazed and very proud to receive it. We've been recognised by the people we were serving with, rather than our own government — it's wonderful.'