William Manson, 2, proudly wears the Philippine Liberation Medal awarded to his late grandfather, Ron Hamilton-Smith, as his mother, Caroline and Mrs Delia Domingo Albert looks on. Picture: SGT David Grant.

Navy veteran Ron Hamilton-Smith had been looking forward to receiving a Philippine Liberation Medal but his death in 1999 aged 74 cut short that dream.

Ron, of Melbourne, served in HMA Ships ARUNTA and QUICKMATCH and according to his widow Fay had been "sweating on the medal."

Regrettably he was absent when the Philippines Ambassador to Australia, Mrs Delia Domingo Albert, presented Philippine Liberation Medals to 52 Victorian veterans at RAAF Base East Sale.

But Ron's family was well -represented by Fay, his daughter Caroline Manson, son-in-law Andrew and grandson William, aged two.

William, proudly assisted by mum , became possibly the youngest recipient of a Philippine Liberation Medal when he accepted it on his grandfather's behalf.

"When I got the letter Ron had just died," Mrs Fay Hamilton-Smith said.

"I thought what better than for his grandson to receive it? He would have been very proud to think William had received the medal for him."

She added that her husband had seen action in the Pacific and had been extremely proud of his Navy years.

Mrs Albert told the veterans and their relatives that since 1995 she had travelled to all Australian States and Territories awarding the medal to 3857 Australian ex-servicemen and women.

She noted that one of the strongest pillars of Philippine -Australian relations was defence cooperation.

Both countries had co-operated over several decades to keep the peace, especially in our region. They had worked together in Korea, Cambodia and more recently in East Timor.

But the relationship could be traced further to Australia's participation in the World War Two battles of Leyte Gulf, Surigao Straits and Lingayen Gulf.

"I am honoured and delighted that 1 am able to say thank you on behalf of my Government and people to all of you who participated in the liberation campaign of the Philippines," Mrs Albert said.

By Peter Johnson