Fond memories of service were celebrated by an army veteran and his family at a Royal presentation.

Roy Hill was in the 1st Battalion the Welsh guards from 1956-58 and as a member of the Welsh Guards Association was invited to the presentation of the colours ceremony at Windsor Castle at the end of April.

The 78-year-old remembers his time in the Guards well: 'When I look back on those days it really changed my life - it made me grow up and if I hadn't had joined the services I would have gone down the pits and probably would have never left Welsh Valleys.'

'I view the Guards in the battalion I served with like a second family. There fewer of us left each time we meet are more of us with walking sticks sadly.'

The 1st Battalion received new colours, the regimental flags of the British Army, from the Queen and this year the Welsh Guards will be at the trooping of the colour in June.

Mr Hill, now lives on Plantation Drive in Sprowston, with wife Valerie, who is the chairman of the Old Catton and Sprowston sub-branch of the Royal British Legion and last year they raised £18,500 between their dozen or so members.

Mrs Hill said: 'This year was extra special as it was the 100th anniversary of the Welsh Guards' creation.'

Mr and Mrs Hill's son-in-law Stuart Dalzell served in the Welsh Guards Band for 21 years and also enjoyed the occasion.

Do you have a story? Email george.ryan@archant.co.uk