Douglas Hartley has been a voluteer for 62 years

Douglas Hartley, 72, from Cardiff joined as a first-aider in 1942 and 62-years later is still volunteering.

He joined St John at the age of nine, and has attended thousands of duties including this year's FA Cup Final in the Millennium Stadium.

Mr Hartley received his award at Buckingham Palace as part of the New Year Honours.

During his time as a volunteer, Mr Hartley has covered major events including Pope John Paul II's visit to Cardiff in 1982.

He sat his first exam in first aid soon after becoming a volunteer and said that it was not long before he put his new skills into action while out playing.

"I had to pull a young lad out of the river which runs through St Fagans after he had cut he foot on a piece of glass," he said.

In 1967 Douglas Hartley set up the Mobile Motor Cycle Division in Cardiff

"Of course I had no bandages with me at the time so I just used my tie to stop the blood.

"We got him out of the river and put him on to the back of a lorry and took him down to the doctors he was stitched up."

Despite training as a coach builder, Mr Hartley's decided to join the ambulance service after his time with the first aid charity.

"My training in St John got me the job in the ambulance, I flew the interview and the test," he said.

"During my time in the ambulance service I ended up having to deliver a baby in an ambulance as the snow came down outside St David's Hospital.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in St John, and I have given it my all Douglas Hartley

"We had picked the mum up and were taking her to the hospital but the baby decided to come right there in the ambulance but we delivered the little babe no problem.

"About 14-years later I was at a presentation and a young St John cadet came up to me and said "my mum said I have to thank you for fetching me into the world".

"I looked at the back of the hall and I thought I recognise you and it was the woman whose baby we had delivered one winter evening outside St David's Hospital.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in St John, and I have given it my all.