Veteran ice cream seller, 95, scoops top honour
HIS cones and wafers brought smiles to the faces of families for more than half a century.
Now Scotland’s oldest ice cream man has a great reason to smile himself – with the award of a British Empire Medal.
Adam Kelly, 95, ran Adam’s Ices in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, for more than 50 years – and only recently hung up his scoop due to failing vision.
the D-Day veteran was recognised by the Ice Cream Alliance as the oldest in his trade in the UK before he retired last year.
Having started his business in 1966, he reluctantly silenced the chimes for good as his deteriorating eyesight meant he could no longer drive his ice cream van.
Mr Kelly was awarded the BEM in the New Year Honours List, in recognition of his services to business and the community in Galashiels.
He was presented with the medal by the Duke of Buccleuch in a ceremony at Scottish Borders Council’s headquarters in Newtown St Boswells on Wednesday.
Mr Kelly, who never took a day off sick in five decades, added the award to his war medals, which he wore at the ceremony.
He said: ‘It’s nice to be recognised for my service to the community. I was both surprised and delighted to be awarded the BEM, after initially receiving the letter from the Prime Minister.
‘It is such a massive honour and I’m very pleased.’
Mr Kelly served in the 51st (Highland) Division as an ammunition, petrol and supplies driver during the Second World War and took part in the D-Day landings in 1944. the Normandy Veterans Association member would later receive the Legion d’Honneur from France.
After the war, he returned to his previous job delivering milk for a creamery – then began taking evening shifts driving the icecream van of army friend and café owner tony Macari in 1964.
He started his own business two years later, which he continued until his retirement last August.
the Duke of Buccleuch said it was a ‘tremendous privilege’ to present the medal. He added: ‘Mr Kelly has an inspirational life story, with a work ethic and dedication to serving his local community that has earned him the admiration and affection of everyone who knows him.
‘He has been known to say that it is the smiles of the children and families when they hear his van coming that makes it all worthwhile.
‘But just one of the reasons he is receiving this medal is because he is the one who has brought those smiles to the faces of his loyal customers, young and old, who so appreciate his unique contribution to their lives.’