I was one of five young postmen to join the Award Scheme when it began in 1956. We had to start at Silver level being too old for Bronze and were somewhat guinea-pigs to see if the standards set were achievable by young people. I did First Aid, build a canoe, did athletics and undertook an expedition in the Mourne Mountains. We all went on to do our Golds together and received our Awards from Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in 1959. For me, a young postman from Northern Ireland, this was a life-changing experience and I wanted to repay my debt to the Scheme by training other young people. I achieved the Mountain Leadership Certificate so that I could take them through the Expedition section. On moving to Scotland I started running the Award Scheme in the Post Office in Glasgow and joined the Scottish Advisory Group as the Gold Award representative. I later became chairman. I was attending an industrial society conference one day to present a paper on youth development and, not aware that the Duke was in the audience until I heard that familiar voice saying behind me,"I recognise that badge!" referring to my Gold Award badge. A short while later, before the 25th Anniversary of the Award Scheme I was asked, at his instigation, to read the second lesson at the Service of Thanksgiving 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.. A while later when my wife, with whom I ran the Award in schools, was presented to him, she reminded him of his name for me and with his typical quickness came the riposte "Yes but he looks good with it!" When my daughter received her Gold Award this became further family history as he told her I looked like an Old Testament Prophet.