A St. Florence man has been honoured this week for 'meritorious service' to Her Majesty The Queen over five decades with the award of the Imperial Service Medal.
Fifty-nine-year-old Alan Adams retired as senior storekeeper at Penally Training Camp in May this year, just 12 days short of 40 years service as a civilian worker for the Ministry of Defence.
A well-known local musician, Mr. Adams joined the staff at the School of Artillery in Manorbier on May 23, 1961.
In 1972 he moved to the RAOC Accommodation Stores, Pembroke Dock, where he remained for five years before taking up a post at Penally in 1977.
Over the years Mr. Adams has seen many changes at Penally Camp, most recently the major refurbishment work started last year.
He has also worked with five commandants, although, ironically not present commandant Col. Anthony Bowen, who presented him with the Imperial Service Medal on Tuesday.
"I was on sick leave when he started, and then had to retire through ill health," said Mr. Adams.
Presenting the medal Col. Bowen said that Imperial Service Medal was awarded in recognition of the 'meritorious service rendered to Her Majesty, The Queen' and was "something to be proud of".
While a familiar face at Penally for over 20 years, Mr. Adams admits that he would probably be more familiar to readers through his hobbies, in particular his 26 year association with Tenby Sea Cadets.
He started with Tenby Sea Cadets in 1956 and retired in 1982 as a Chief Petty Officer, helping to run the unit for most of the time with Mr. Mike Fry.
"You wouldn't believe the number of people in their 30s and 40s who still call me 'Chief'," he smiled.
Mr. Adams also played in various dance bands over the years and was, for a time, conductor of St. Florence Mixed Choir. He still plays the organ for St. Johns Church, Tenby and is a member of the church's singing group.
"In fact when I look back over the years at what I've been involved in, its amazing that I had time to go to work at all," he smiled.
Mr. Adams will still be kept busy in his retirement maintaining his interest in music and as scorer and statistician with the newly reformed St. Florence Cricket Club.
He was very proud and honoured to receive the Imperial Service Medal, if a little shocked.
"It came as a total surprise to me. It was something I never expected and it's a tremendous honour," he said.