Veterans' charity founder fuming at treatment of war hero
The boss of the Anglia Motel Veterans' charity is fuming at the treatment by the French of a 98-year-old war hero.
Blind veteran George Wing joined Harold Payne's trip to Normandy in June and was taken ill.
First George paid 35E to see a doctor followed by 130E for an ambulance to take him to hospital as he was suffering heart and kidney failure along with pneumonia.
He also had to pay a further 20E to be returned to his hotel.
Only last week George received yet another bill from the ‘Tressor De Public’ for another 187E for his few hours in hospital, taking the total to 372E .
Harold is protesting to the French government at the way they treated a hero who helped liberate their country.
"If I'd had my way, I would have burned the French flag," said Harold. "Everything was pay, pay, pay."
Harold has made representations to the French Embassy and is awaiting a reply.
He explained holiday insurance is not an option for George due to his age.
But the boss of the motel at Fleet felt the insurance issue should not stop George returning to France - the country he fought for - and visiting his comrades' graves.
George, who lives in Bourne, will not be out of pocket because Harold and committee members are picking up the bill from this year’s collection.
George hopes to return to Normandy with Harold and the others in June next year when the charity intends to lay 8,500 red roses - placing one on each British grave in the cemeteries they visit.
George and wife Lynn were accompanied to the hospital by a friend, a retired nurse, who could not fault the medical care from doctors but was critical of his treatment by nursing staff.
The friend said: "Not once was George offered a drink or food, although he spent a whole day in hospital from 9am until 5pm.
"After a discussion with the doctor and a prescription for an inhaler, George discharged himself as both his wife and myself thought he was better off back at the hotel."