DECADES of service to the community by Williton pensioner and former Parachute Regiment platoon sergeant Bert Pearson have been rewarded with one of the nation's top honours. The 81-year-old received the Lord Lieutenant's Award to mark his outstanding service to the cause of ex-servicemen and women and their dependents at the annual conference of the Somerset branch of the Royal British Legion in Yeovilton last weekend. The presentation came as a complete surprise to Bert, who has been an active member of the RBL's Williton branch for the past 21 years and is currently its chairman and chairman of the organisation's West Somerset group as well as being a member of the county and county conference committees. A citation read out to conference members described Bert as the epitome of the RBL maxim - Service Not Self. "It could almost be said that Bert first coined the phrase 'legion in the community'," it said. "If ever there is a job to be done within the county then invariably Bert can be relied upon to do it. "His experience, organising ability, professional attitude, attention to detail, consideration for others together with his friendly charm and obvious enjoyment of the work he undertakes for the legion have earned him the respect of all those that he has come into contact with in the pursuance of his legion duties." Bert's sterling work within the Williton branch has included a campaign which is nearing fruition for a war memorial for the village and the creation of an annual festival of remembrance involving local schoolchildren and legion veterans. He has also been a dedicated case worker for the organisation for the past six years and also finds time to work for a national charity which helps support the needs of the elderly. Over the years he has provided invaluable assistance to other legion branch and group officers and has also played a leading role in the organisation's welfare work, schools liaison, recruiting, fundraising and annual Poppy Appeal activities. Sadly, Bert's wife Mary was unable to see him receive the well deserved accolade as she was recovering from a knee operation in hospital. "She has been to the last six annual conferences and it was a great shame she could not be there with me for this,"said Bert. "It was a real shock when I realised what was happening and I couldn't take it in at first. It's a great honour and I am very proud to have received this award. "But it isn't just for me, it's for Williton and I could not have done all the work that I have without the co-operation and support of my colleagues in the branch, the district and the county. "My parents were both involved in the Royal British Legion so I feel as though I am simply carrying on their good work." Photo: Steve Guscott.