A PENSIONER has become only the sixth man in the world to receive a rare accolade.

Robin Scott-Smith, northern branch secretary of The Orders and Medals Research Society (OMRS), has been awarded a bar to his distinguished service medal, one of only two people alive to receive the honour.

The distinction is a reward for the Great Lever man's outstanding service to the society, including 33 years as secretary, and is the equivalent of receiving the medal for a second time.

The former RAF corporal and army staff sergeant, aged 82, spent more than 12 years serving in the armed forces before becoming a builder.

He received the bar by post in a personal letter signed by Prince Charles, who presented Mr Scott-Smith with the original medal in 2002.

He said: “I was over the moon with it because I knew all five of the men who have won it before.

“When I met with the society they were congratulating me left, right and centre. It’s a very rare medal.”

The OMRS celebrates the soldiers behind medals from throughout history, particularly focusing on British and Commonwealth conflicts.

Mr Scott-Smith, of St Michael’s Avenue, has collected more than 50 medals in his life, including one belonging to an officer at Waterloo and another from an officer involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade.

He served as a chef in the RAF between 1955 and 1957 before spending a decade as a nuclear, chemical and biological warfare teacher in the army.

He was presented with the accolade at by society president, Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, at its annual convention in Stratford-upon-Avon.

In its announcement of the medal, the OMRS said: “Robin Scott-Smith was awarded a bar to the distinguished service medal for his continued service to the northern branch of the society.

“Believed by the branch to be the longest serving secretary in the OMRS, he rarely misses a meeting, his knowledge of the medal world is extensive, and he is always willing to answer queries.”