The remarkable 50 years' service by Ken Sayers as the Standard Bearer for Kenley & Caterham Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) was honoured at the organisation's AGM on Tuesday 13th March. The Branch Chairman, Mike Roach, presented Ken with an engraved plaque during the meeting which took place at the Portcullis Club in Kenley.

Born in Caterham in 1927, Ken joined the the Caterham and Warlingham Air Training Corps (450 Squadron) in 1942, then entered the RAF in 1944 and served until 1948.

On leaving the RAF Ken joined the Caterham and District branch of RAFA, now known as the Kenley and Caterham branch. In 1962 he was elected as Standard Bearer and has held the post continuously, being re-elected on an annual basis.

During his tenure Ken has attended the Lord Mayor's Show, the Royal Tournament and Veteran's Awareness Week in 2005. He has been the Parade Marshall at the annual Battle of Britain parade in Whyteleafe for 27 years and has organised the parade for the last four years.

A few days before the AGM at the Portcullis Club, Ken was presented with a framed picture by members of the Coulsdon & Purley ATC (285 Squadron) with whom there has been a close liaison over the years.

Ken's daughter, Julia Sayers, said: "Dad is 85 now and I think he would quite like to retire as Standard Bearer, but his colleagues keep reelecting him! Nevertheless, he is delighted to have been given this recognition for his long service."

For more information about Kenley and Caterham RAFA, visit www.rafa-kenley.com