HE arrives as though prepared for military parade inspection.

Shiny black shoes, crisp white shirt and sporting the British Legion tie, Richard Styan bears the marks of a man who puts service above self.

Old habits evidently die hard for Richard who also bears the honour of being, possibly, the oldest and longest serving standard bearer in the North of England.

The 90-year-old’s upright stature defies his grand age. Keeping active and not doing anything to excess is clearly Richard’s secret for a long life. “And I am happy,” he adds with a smile.

His weekly diary leaves little room for relaxation, never mind a nap. There’s badminton, golf, orchestra practice – he plays the clarinet – oh and rehearsals for the band for which he plays the cornet.

And there is no doubt that keeping as active as he does has prepared him well for the responsible job in hand. After straightening his navy beret, smoothing down his matching blazer proudly displaying the medals achieved in combat areas and for service to his country during his tenure with the Royal Artillery, he pulls on his white leather gloves to deftly hoist the weighty standard into its leather holster.

It is a manoeuvre well practised since Richard took on the role as a Royal British Legion standard bearer in the 1950s. Initially Richard joined the Wibsey branch where he was living at the time.

“It seemed to be the obvious thing to do. It (the Royal British Legion) was the foremost ex-servicemen’s association and they came to me and said ‘would I join the Legion?’”

Not only did he join, Richard became the branch chairman and standard bearer, a role he would continue to fulfil when he became Bradford group standard bearer when he was 30.

Richard recalls: “There was a competition in Peel Park to see who could become the group standard bearer. I happened to win it and I have been standard bearer ever since.”

Photographs capturing Richard with the standard held aloft are indicative of the commitment he has to the job. According to Bradford branch president, Jim Hargreaves MBE, Richard has fulfilled the role ‘all occasions and without interruption.’ “And how he carries it at his age – I couldn’t carry it!” laughs Jim.

“But we are very proud of his achievement. He has never let the side down at all and are very proud of him.”

But what does the role entail: “A lot of cleaning and polishing!” laughs Richard.

The Royal Artillery served him well for that and is testimony to his immaculate turn-out – whether attending an occasion or not.

His shiny black shoes have been polished – and that’s just for a visit to the Bradford Royal British Legion branch! But appearance clearly counts as it did all those years ago when, as a young 18-year-old, he started his military service.

Richard initially served with the Home Guard at 17 in Whitton and on June 18, 1942, – a date he recalls as though it was yesterday – he was called up to serve his country.

His first posting was to the Royal Artillery Signals training unit in Rhyl. Two days in and Richard was made a stripe. “So I became what is known as a Squad Lance Bombardier – that is the first step. It is making sure people do what they are supposed to do, get on parade, see if they are shaved and the rest of it.”

Richard passed out as a signaller and was recommended to go to W.O.S.B, the War Office Selection Board. “After that they sent me to the pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit in Wrotham in Kent and that was to train in anti-tank guns,” recalls Richard.

The cockney’s calling to Yorkshire came when he was posted to OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit) in Ilkley. “And that is where my Yorkshire contact starts. After passing out from the unit Richard was posted to serve with the 97th Anti-Tank Regiment. “And with that regiment I took part in an exercise which took place in the East Riding and it was a practice for the invasion of Normandy.”

Richard was posted to the holding unit and sent across to Normandy three days after D-Day. “I was a young man, just 20 then and it was more like an adventure than anything else.”

His lasting memory was of losing a dear colleague, his tutor, out there. “That was a tragic thing for me,” recalls Richard.

After Normandy, Richard joined the 91st Anti-Tank Regiment (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders). “We finished up on the River Maas, that was when the 91st was then sent back to England.”

Richard’s next posting was to India and while there he volunteered to join the West African division serving with the 8 Goldcoast Regiment in Burma. Following the end of hostilities, Richard was transferred to the 82nd West African Division Reconnaissance Regiment where he earned promotion to Company Commander.

From there Richard returned with the regiment to Takoradi in West Africa as an adjutant to Major Roy Kilner. After the regiment was disbanded Richard returned to Scotland where he was de-mobbed.

Although he spent the main part of his working life with printing firms, he never turned his back on his military past and joined the Wibsey branch of the Royal British Legion in 1948 when he became Standard Bearer.

“The Standard is supposed to be the rallying round. It stems from the days when they defended the flag in the army,” explains Richard. Learning how to hold it is imperative. “You have to learn how to handle it properly. It isn’t just a thing you get hold of and there is a manual you can use,” says Richard.

He says the main thing is the standard leads the parade. “In a way it is a bit of a responsibility because I cannot see what is behind me because I am at the front and sometimes they say ‘slow down a bit Richard!’” he smiles.

But the post has its perils too: “I don’t want my nose to run!” he smiles.

Richard says he will be happy to continue the role for as long as he is able. “I’m not as steady on my feet as I used to be when I was 60 and 70 but I am lucky, I keep very well.

“I feel as though I am doing something useful,” he says. “I will go on as long as I can.”