I was one of six young postmen, the first group in N. Ireland to join the Award Scheme when it began in 1956. We had to start at Silver level and were somewhat guinea-pigs to assess if the standards set were achievable by young people. I did First Aid, athletics, built a canoe and Expeditioned in the Mourne Mountains. We all went on to do our Gold together and received our Awards from Buckingham Palace in 1959. For me, a young postman from N. Ireland, this was a life-changing experience and I wanted to repay the debt. I went on to do the Mountain Leadership Certificate so that I could take young people through the Expedition Section. Throughout the Troubles I used the Award Scheme to bring Catholic and Protestant youngsters together. On moving to Scotland I started the Award Scheme in the Post Office and became the Gold Award representative on the Scottish Advisory Committee. I later became its Chairman. I also ran it in private schools. I was attending an Industrial Society conference to present a paper on youth development and was not aware that the Duke of Edinburgh was in the audience. During a tea-break I hard that familiar voice behind me say "I recognise that badge." A short while later before the 25th Anniversary of the Award Scheme I was asked to read the second lesson at the service in St. Paul's Cathedral. This was a tremendous honour but also contains a very special memory as it transpired the Duke, probably forgetting my name, had asked for "Old Grey Beard" to read it. Years later, when my wife was presented to him she reminded him and with his typical quickness came the repost "Yes but he looks good with it!". When my daughter received her Gold Award this became further family history when he told her I looked like an Old Testament Prophet.