A WAR veteran who gave starving Dutch villagers his rations has received a thank you card, more than 60 years on.

John Boulton, known as 'Jack' during the war, and his friend Bill Bark were passing through Venlo, Holland as they helped liberate Europe from German occupation in 1944 when they came across starving teenager Mia Peters and her family.

Mia was so thin that they thought she was just 12 years old. In fact, she was 17.

The village had suffered badly in the fighting and she and her family were cold, ill and starving, having not eaten for days.

The men, who were both sergeants in 123rd Light Ack-Ack Regiment of the Royal Artillery, decided to share their rations with the villagers, who were deeply moved by their generosity.

Over the years, he has often thought about the villagers and was delighted when, more than 60 years later, a card from Mia dropped on the doormat, thanking him for his kindness.

"It was a nice surprise," said the 83-year-old, who lives with his wife Billie in Penhill Crescent, St John's, Worcester.

"Bill keeps in contact with Mia and has been over to see her, but I hadn't heard anything since the war.

"It is comforting to know that some people do remember the intimidation and starvation that the Dutch people had to endure during the occupation by the German forces."

The card affectionately describes the men as the "loving soldiers".

It reads: "I say a prayer for you both, Bill and Jack, my helpers when I was very hungry and sick."

After the war, Mr Boulton returned to work as a supervisor in the building industry before working in a similar role with Worcester City Architects.

He and 89-year-old Bill, who lives near Hull, remain close friends and he now plans to keep in contact with Mia.