Mr Plant, be it with the Royal Navy or Australian Royal Navy, had a wonderful career and his medals meant a lot to him and his family.

The late Mr Plant, who passed away eight years ago, wanted his medals to go the Shoalhaven's Fleet Air Arm Museum and his wishes were granted at a ceremony this week.

His beautifully encased medals were officially presented to the museum this week and no doubt they will be displayed in a prime position.

His niece Marion, joined by her husband Michael O'Connor, was in the country from England to attend the service at the museum.

Mr Plant's family members are happy the medals will go to the museum.

Mrs O'Connor has many fond memories of her uncle.

"He was a private person, but he was also loving and caring," Mrs O'Connor said.

Mr and Mrs O'Connor said Mr Plant was also an extremely smart man.

President of the Nowra Sub-Branch, Fred Dawson, led the ceremony to honour a man he knew well.

"It was a privilege to know him," Mr Dawson said.

Mr Dawson still remembers the first time he met George Plant.

"When George arrived at HMAS Albatross in February 1959, in true British Royal Navy tradition, he brought with him 30 tattoos and one gold earring," Mr Dawson said.

Mr Plant, a Warrant Officer Aviation, might have been a character but was definitely good at his job. His career spanned 34-years and was full of achievements.

Among the medals Mr Plant was awarded and wore included the Australian Active Service Medal with clasps from Malaya and Vietnam, the British Korea Medal, the United Nations Kora Service Medal, the Naval General Service Medal with Far East clasp and the National Medal.

When he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a "steward's boy" in January 1949, as a 17-year-old, Mr Plant would never have imagined his career would have been so long and special.

Mr Dawson said his late friend had a great career.

"He was a shipmate who was respected, held in high regard and I dare say loved by all those who knew him," Mr Dawson said.

Most of Mr Plant's Australian career was spent alternating between HMAS Albatross and HMAS Melbourne with short stints on HMAS Penguin and HMAS Harman.

Mr Dawson is happy his friend's medals and memories will now be kept safe.

Mr Plant was also a member of the Shoalhaven Historical Society and a regular South Coast Register Letter to the Editor writer.

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