Mr Saunders was born in the year of the San Francisco earthquake

In his time, Frank Saunders has been a soldier and politician and still serves on six public bodies.

He held the record for being Scotland's oldest political candidate when he stood as an independent in the Stirling Council elections at the age of 94.

Stirling Provost Colin O'Brien said that Mr Saunders' contribution to public life was "legendary".

He said of Mr Saunders: "Frank's service to the people of Stirling has been unstinting for so very many years. He is a remarkable man and we are proud to recognise his achievements."

Army service

Mr Saunders is currently a trustee of the Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery and also serves on Kings Park Community Council, Stirling Civic Trust, and Stirling Assembly, a body which sounds out public opinion.

He is also a JP and is a member of the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Mr Saunders was born in 1906, when Stirling MP Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was Prime Minister.

As a soldier, Mr Saunders saw action with the Western Desert Force and the 8th Army in North Africa, the 2nd Polish Corps of the 8th Army in the Italian Campaign and the 3rd Corps during the Civil War in Greece.

In 1947 he was relegated to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired from the reserve in 1961.

Mr Saunders has maintained his armed forces links by serving as president of the Forth Valley branch of the Royal Engineers Association.

'Generous support'

He went on to serve as an independent and Conservative councillor for Stirling's Kings Park and Cambusbarron ward and as a member of Stirling Town Council and Central Regional Council.

Elspeth King, director of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, said: "Frank and his wife Mary have been stalwart supporters and Friends of the Stirling Smith for many years.

"Their generous support has been a considerable factor in the success of the art gallery and museum.