Veterans from Moray recognised for decades of service with Imperial Service Medal and British Empire Medal
Forres’ Albert Duffus (left) is presented with his BEM by Lord Lieutenant of Moray Seymour Monro at Forres Golf Club while Ian ‘Chalky’ Whyte (right) is presented with the Imperial Service Medal
Ian ‘Chalky’ Whyte (69), from Elgin, and Albert Duffus (72), from Forres, were officially presented with the Imperial Service Medal and the British Empire Medal respectively at a ceremony at Forres Golf Club recently.
The pair’s former company commander, Lord Lieutenant of Moray Seymour Monro, was on hand to present both men with their medals.
Mr Whyte received the Imperial Service Medal for his role as a civil servant which he carried out for 26 years.
He joined the army in 1969, going on to serve in the Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland before returning to Elgin in 1995 and becoming a civil servant.
Now retired, Mr Whyte said receiving the medal was a “massive honour” and he was pleased to have his family in attendance on the day.
“It was a proud day,” he said. “My daughters were there, my grandchildren as well.
“I’ve got six other medals for my service and I always put them on for Remembrance Sunday.
“But this is a really nice way to round off my career.”
Ian ‘Chalky’ Whyte (left) alongside Albert Duffus.
Mr Duffus was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s birthday honours earlier this year for services to veterans, charity and boxing.
A Stalwart of the Forres community, Mr Duffus has raised over £66,000 for charity having served in the army for over two decades before working as a superintendent on the River Findhorn for 21 years.
“It’s very humbling,” he said. “I’m delighted but I wouldn’t be receiving this honour without all the support I’ve had from people locally and from all over Scotland.
“A lot of people don’t know that my family now has two MBEs and two BEMs.
“That’s not bad for one family in Forres so it’s a massive honour.”
