A codebreaker who played a crucial role in intercepting covert messages sent by the Nazis during the Second World War has been honoured by the Government.

Ron Brewer, 86, of Mortimer Street, Trowbridge, has been recognised as being one of the country’s ‘secret heroes’ with a service medal and certificate, signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, arriving at his house last week.

Mr Brewer is one of a few surviving people who helped crack the German Enigma codes following the outbreak of war.

He was initially based at Bellefield House, off Hilperton Road, Trowbridge, which was requisitioned for the war effort, where he sent information back to Bletchley Park, the national code and ciphers centre near Milton Keynes.

Because the former manor house was not deemed to be satisfactory, he and other staff were moved to classrooms at Nelson Haden Boys School in Frome Road, now Clarendon College.

Mr Brewer joined the Royal Corps of Signals after war broke out, and was identified as having potential so was reclassified as a ‘special operator’.

Mr Brewer said: “We always had a despatch rider by our side so when a code came in he could take it up to Bletchley Park. I was based in England and abroad for five-and-a-half years.

“It is a lovely medal I received, as well as a notification from Gordon Brown.

“It is an honour to receive the medal, but it is more of an honour to our families, as we soldiers went through so much.”

Mr Brewer wore his medal proudly on Sunday when he attended the Remembrance service at Trowbridge war memorial and St James’ Church, along with his D-day medals.

It is hoped that the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, John Bush, will officially present Mr Brewer with the medal at a Trowbridge Town Council meeting in the near future.

Trowbridge town councillor Graham Payne wrote Mr Brewer’s application for the commemoration badge and sent it to the GCHQ centre in Cheltenham.