The Quest. By George Lord.

Please tell us about yourself.

I left school when I was 14, with no qualifications. The RAF brought me up to a standard of education acceptable for aircrew training.

During 10 years in the RAF I spent most of the time as a flight engineer with a Sunderland flying boat squadron, and took part in the British North Greenland Expedition in the mid-50's.

Leaving the RAF, I took up a career in sales and marketing and later became a consultant in Human Resource Development, working internationally.

I retired at 70, five years ago.

I have been interested in photography [as an amateur] for over 50 years, and [having had two heart attacks in five years] I wanted to do something to help the amazing Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

I now work as a volunteer photographer for the team, and several charities connected to cardiac rehabilitation, plus the Workers' Education Association.

I do similar work for the Scunthorpe central community centre, and they have asked me to write an illustrated history of the centre.

What's your story about?

My story is about my 52-year-quest for a personal close up photograph of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

I first saw her in 1950 when I was under aircrew training.

I was part of her guard-of-honour when she visited South Wales.

In fact I caught only a glimpse, but it left me with a clear impression of her serene expression and flawless complexion.

I decided then I must get my own close-up photograph of the Queen, and the story is about my careful planning to make the best of the opportunity when she visited Scunthorpe, fifty-two years later.

In spite of my detailed planning and preparation I ran into all sorts of difficulties and disappointments that day, but finally got my close-up.

A large framed copy now greets visitors to the Community Centre in the foyer and the Mayor has a copy in his parlour.

Why did you choose to tell this particular story?

It is an account of how I realised an ambition I had nursed for more than 50 years, and it had an almost perfect outcome.

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