A PENSIONER who has devoted his life to helping youngsters has spoken of his pride after being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Alan Watts, 77, of Aintree Crescent in Barkingside was given the medal for his work with the 5th London Company of the Boys’ Brigade.

He said: “I’m very proud and surprised to have got this medal, but I put it down to all the amazing people I have worked with over the years.”

Mr Watts joined the Boys’ Brigade as a ten-year-old in 1945 during the final months of the Second World War.

He said: “My father died when I was just 10 months old and I found father figures in the Brigade.

“Those people helped me as a young man, and I wanted to put something back.”

Mr Watts stayed involved with the Brigade while he forged a successful career as a financial director of a printing company and was promoted to captain of the 5th London Company in 1972.

He has worked with hundreds of youngsters since then giving up his free time to keep the Brigade running.

He said: “We are the oldest Boys' Brigade in the country - 125 years old this year - and some of the boys tease that I have been here since the start.

“I used to think I was a father figure, now I suppose I am something of a grandfather figure.”

Mr Watts will step down as captain in August, but plans to remain involved.

“Some of the physical stuff does get a bit hard,” he said. “But I enjoy it too much to leave.

“Maybe I’ll have another think about calling it a day when I’m 80.

“Some of the children get a bit narky as teenagers but I like the challenge of helping to keep them on track.

“We don’t have as many members as we once did, and it is harder to find people with enough time to give up to help run the Association.

“But we continue, because the values of the Boys' Brigade are still so important.

“We teach the boys discipline, and most importantly we teach them about self discipline.”

The 5th London Company meet every week at Wesley’s Chapel in the City.

Tracy Smith, office manager at the Chapel, said: “There is not a man out there more deserving of this award than Alan.

“He is a fabulous person, absolutely unwavering in his support for the Boys’ Brigade and the church.”

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