'Our proud dad carried the standard for 30 years'

Two award recipients - a woman with brown hair and a woman with blonde hair - standing indoors holding framed certificates with blue backgrounds and gold borders. The certificates feature printed text and a red wax seal. Behind them is a wooden-panelled wall with a shield emblem and a large mural above.Image source, BBC/Naj Modak
Image caption,

Karen Hodgson (left) and Andrea Fisk say their dad was "proud" to be honoured with a Lord Mayor's award

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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."

A woman with short blonde hair standing indoors holding a framed photograph showing two individuals in formal attire, one wearing a military-style uniform and the other in a light jacket and patterned skirt. She wears glasses, a blue top, a black vest and a medal and red poppy.
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Andrea Fisk with a photo of her parents, including Ron holding the standard

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".

A group of 14 smartly dressed men and a woman, holding Royal British Legion flags and other standards, stand in a line in a grand hall. They wear regimental caps and ties and some have medals. In front of them is a woman dressed in red robes and a black admiral's hat. Image source, BBC/Naj Modak
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Some of the standard-bearers who received awards from the Lord Mayor of Hull

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".

Man in smart blazer and regimental beret and tie holding a medal and a framed certificate in his left hand and a Union flag standard in the other. He is standing in a wood-panelled corridor.Image source, BBC/Naj Modak
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L/Cpl Craig Metcalfe says crowds give him a great reception at events

"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."

A woman wearing a black blazer, regimental beret, tie and a row of medals stands in a grand-looking, wood-panelled corridor while holding the flag of a regimental association, which is coloured scarlet and blue and includes a regimental badge.Image source, BBC/Naj Modak
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Sgt Maj Valerie Redmore MacDonald with the standard she carries

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.

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