A World War Two veteran’s Legion d’Honneur medal was instead sent to a Liverpool supermarket.
Staff at the city’s branch of Costco received the medal, considered France’s highest military honour, meant for former soldier Joseph Carter.
Mr Carter was awarded the accolade for his part in the Normandy landings of 1944 but failed to receive it due to a postcode mix-up with the city centre store.
He received the medal after it was sent by Costco to the Royal British Legion in time for the commemorations of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
The French embassy, who posted the medal, have apologised for the error.