Honour for retiring British Legion legend
War veteran Geordie is praised for sterling service
01.05.2018 Paisley hero James ‘Geordie’ Gaughan choked back emotion at a ceremony marking his retirement as chairman of the Royal British Legion.
Geordie has served with distinction as Chairman at the Paisley Comrades’ Club, even helping safeguard its future, brimmed with pride as he accepted a special award.
Colour Sergeant Geordie, 78, from Hunterhill, who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Borneo, Aden and Northern Ireland between 1967 and 1981, was honoured with a Bronze Royal Engineer Cap Badge, to add to his battle honours.
Vice chairman of the Royal Engineer Association Paisley Branch, Gordon Powrie paid tribute to Geordie.
Gordon said: “The Royal Engineer Association Paisley Branch were proud to have honoured Geordie for his sterling service.
“It was both an honour and a privilege to have Geordie as chairman of the Royal British Legion.
“Geordie, being a proud Argyll and Sutherland Highlander ,has been a stalwart of the Legion over the years and this is richly deserved.
“All our members of the Royal British Legion Paisley Comrades’ Club hold Geordie in the highest regard and we wish him and Rene the very best for the future.”
Geordie helped organise milestone events for the servicemen and women in Paisley and across Renfrewshire for decades. From military processions, Remembrance Day events, Poppy Appeal fundraising, Armed Forces’ Day parades and school visits, Geordie has been instrumental in the club’s continued success in the area.
Chairman of the Royal Engineer Association Paisley Branch Kevin Skinnider, who also joined Geordie for the award ceremony, described him as a “true legend and whose work and service is worthy of the highest praise.”
The Paisley British Legion has appointed a new chairman, Kenny Lupton who currently serves in the Royal Navy.
While Geordie who has passed over his duties to Kenny, will retain his strong links to the club with lighter duties as president.