‘Our proud dad carried the standard for 30 years’

The daughters of a man who served as a standard-bearer at remembrance events for 30 years have paid tribute to him at an awards ceremony.

Ron Barley, a former Royal Engineer from Hull, died in September at the age of 89 after being made an honorary burgess of the city.

On Friday, his daughters Karen Hodgson, 60, and Andrea Fisk, 57, also received awards alongside 20 standard-bearers at a service held at the Guildhall ahead of Remembrance Day.

Ms Fisk said: “We would go to the Remembrance Sunday service every year and watch him. He marched there every year without fail carrying the standard and right up until a year ago, he still wanted to march.”

Mr Barley was presented with the Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber Award, and the courtesy title of honorary burgess, at Hallgarth Residential Home, Cottingham, earlier this year.

Ms Hodgson said he had been “proud” to receive the honour.

He was dressed in his uniform and “was checking his beret was on right,” added Ms Fisk. “Everything had to be perfect”.

Standard-bearers carry flags at remembrance events, parades and other occasions, such as funerals. They were presented with their awards at the ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Cheryl Payne.

Payne said they were “fantastic representatives of our city”.

Former soldier L/Cpl Craig Metcalfe, 50, has been a standard-bearer for 15 years.

He said he was “proud as punch” to carry the standard, “especially on Remembrance Day”.

“You see all the crowds clapping and cheering and then you hear people shouting your name because you know your friends or your family, or people you haven’t seen for ages, recognise what you’re doing,” he added.

Sgt Maj Valerie Redmore MacDonald, 58, had been a standard-bearer for four years.

She said: “I just was wanting to give back into the military community and it’s just something I’d seen the chaps doing and I thought, well, I’d quite like to have a go at that.”

She added: “It’s such an honour to carry a standard at any time, whether it be a funeral or celebrating some of the big events.”

Hull City Council said the Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber Award was given to current or former citizens of Hull who brought distinction to the city.