A veteran who helped guard the Suez Canal after the Second World War has been awarded a special medal seven decades later.

Ronnie Blakey, who lives at Newton House Care Home, in Newton Mearns, was involved in protecting the key trade route when he served in Egypt from 1951 to 1954.

The 90-year-old, who previously lived in Paisley, has now been awarded an HM Armed Forces Veteran Medal in recognition of his courageous actions.

Ronnie said it was "a great honour" to receive the accolade as he celebrated the occasion with his daughter Joanne.

The Gazette:

He added: "I was so overwhelmed and did not expect to receive a medal, it was such a surprise. 

"It was such an important and challenging time, and it is wonderful to be recognised for that. 

"It was great to spend the afternoon celebrating with my family."

The Suez Canal was an important asset for Britain after the Second World War, as it maintained links to overseas possessions and was also the main source of oil in the Middle East.

The Gazette:

Although the UK had maintained military bases in Egypt along the canal, the Egyptian authorities objected to the British presence and, in 1951, they broke the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936. 

This was followed by a number of attacks on British installations and personnel.

Ronnie, who was only 18 years old when he first arrived in Egypt, had originally planned to complete two years of national service in the dangerous territory but ended up serving three years there with the RAF.

The Gazette:

After the war, the veteran had a busy career working for the Scottish Daily Record and the Scottish Daily Express. 

Before moving to Newton House, Ronnie lived in Paisley and still enjoys chatting about town and how it has changed over the years. 

Kerri MacNeil, wellbeing and lifestyle coach at Newton House, said: "It is a privilege to have Ronnie here at Newton House and how amazing to hear about his time serving with the RAF in the 1950s, we have all learned so much from him."