100th birthday tribute to AA veteran

Derek Fothergill (L) was presented with a commemorative roundel by fellow AA patrolman John Foster

An AA patrolman has completed a 420-mile round trip on a heritage motorbike to celebrate the 100th birthday of a veteran of the motoring organisation.

John Foster made the journey to Lacock, Wiltshire, to present his former colleague Derek Fothergill with a commemorative roundel in tribute to his 37 years' service.

Mr Fothergill, who started as a patrolman in 1950, played a "pivotal role" in the launch of AA Relay in 1973.

"He's just a superb man, and I remembered his name from many years ago, so I took the opportunity to visit Derek and it was lovely to see the smile on his face," said Mr Foster.

Mr Fothergill joined the service as a motorbike patrol aged 25, when his future father-in-law suggested he should "get a proper job" after serving in the British Army in India and Burma.

As a reserve captain in the Royal Military Police, Mr Fothergill was called up during the 1956 Suez Crisis, serving with the AA's own Military Police Company, made up entirely of volunteer patrol staff.

Derek Fothergill (seated) retired in 1987 after 37 years' service

"I suppose The AA was a type of military organisation and structure to start with," said his son Steve Fothergill, who also worked for the AA for 34 years.

"There's a similar sort of camaraderie in the AA that exists in the British forces - constant joking and laughing amongst patrols to get through the difficult times - and that's still there today."

One of Mr Fothergill's call-outs caused him particular embarrassment.

"One of the breakdowns that he had to attend turned out to be his ex-girlfriend and her new partner," said Steve Fothergill.

Derek Fothergill played a "pivotal" role in the development of AA Relay in 1973

Mr Foster, who himself has worked for the company for 46 years and is a founder member of the AA's heritage team, made the 420-mile round trip on an AA-liveried 1961 BSA motorcycle and side-car combination, which he restored himself.

The first AA patrolmen cycled around helping drivers to stay safe on the roads

Mr Foster said the values underpinning the AA have survived through the decades since the service first began in 1905.

"Customer care to me is especially important because I get called out to so many people now who say, 'Oh, I remember you from a long time ago'.

"And I think, 'OK, we've looked after you, and you've looked after us by staying with us'."

He added: "There is a camaraderie - we get this thing we call 'yellow blood', and once it gets in your system, you can't really get it out."