One of Kintyre’s longest-serving firefighters has spoken of his pride after receiving a King’s Fire Service Medal.
Robert Strang, crew commander at Carradale Fire Station, received the award from Princess Anne at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace in recognition of his distinguished service spanning more than 35 years.
He was one of the first people in Scotland to be awarded a King’s Fire Service Medal by King Charles III after being named in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list, the first after His Majesty ascended the British throne on September 8 2022.
Robert, 68, joined the fire station in Carradale as a volunteer firefighter in July 1987, becoming a volunteer leader in 1996.
His award citation describes him as “an advocate of improving processes”, adding that he was instrumental in a volunteer improvement programme that changed the way volunteer firefighters are deployed to emergencies across Argyll.
It adds he has transformed Carradale into a fire station that protects the community and proactively supports charitable causes, with more than £50,000 raised for national and local charities under his leadership.
The dad, who has worked as a greenkeeper at Carradale Golf Club for almost 39 years, also does a lot of volunteer work in the community. He was joined by his three children, daughters Rhianydd and Ceri and son Gareth as he received his medal.
He described it as a “monumental” occasion, adding: “It’s a day I’ll always remember; it was a proud moment being there with my children.
“Princess Anne made us feel relaxed and she chatted away about my background and what I do for a living.
“It was lovely but it was also a sad occasion, as I lost my wife Cheryl in January last year, just after getting notice that I was to receive the award.”
Gareth has followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the fire service in Carradale with his dad as his boss, in 2005. He then moved to Campbeltown Fire Station in 2007, before becoming a full-time firefighter in 2012.
Now a watch commander in Clydebank, Gareth added: “It was a proud day seeing my dad get presented with the King’s Fire Service Medal for his dedication and commitment not only to the fire service but to the community of Carradale for all those years and he will no doubt continue this for years to come.
“I think I speak on behalf of everyone in Carradale when I say how proud we are of him receiving this honour.”
When asked if he has plans to wind down by giving up any of his roles in the community, Robert said he intends to keep going with them all for as long as he continues passing his medical and fitness tests.
South Kintyre councillor Tommy Macpherson said: “Robert time and again has gone beyond the call of duty for his community. This investiture reinforces the fact this is one of his many civic contributions to Carradale and the wider Kintyre peninsula.
“Like many of us, knowing Bob as we do, he is a hard act to keep up with and follow. The recognition is justly deserved.”
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.