Standard bearer retires after 22 years of service

Daniel De Weert (left) said it is an "honour" to take over the role from Doug Porter (right)

A veteran who had carried the Royal British Legion standard for over two decades says he "enjoyed" the role and was "sorry to see it go".

Doug Porter, who held the Onchan branch's standard for 22 years, retired after a service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday.

Following the ceremony, Mr Porter was presented with a Royal British Legion award celebrating his 30 years of service in a range of roles in the village.

Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, who made the presentation, congratulated Mr Porter on his "hard work and dedication in this really important role".

'An honour'

The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings saw communities across the island join in memorial services, with Mr Porter explaining that for him, it was an extra poignant day.

"This the last time I'm carrying the Onchan standard, I've carried it for 22 years, as well as being the secretary, and at one stage the poppy organiser," he said.

Mr Porter, who served his national service with the RAF, said that his father had been part of Operation Market Garden, fighting at Nijmegen Bridge in the Netherlands.

He said he could remember him telling him it was "pretty tough, but not as tough as the guys had it up at Arnhem".

He had been at Thursday's ceremony "not just to carry this standard" but also "to remember my father and the deeds that all the other people did as well and that we're lucky enough to walk around and talk about", he added.

The role of standard bearer has been handed over to Daniel De Weert, who said it was "an honour" to be taking over from Mr Porter.

"I look forward to taking over and carrying on the legacy of the British Legion," he added.

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