"Proudest moment of my life": Largs community responder receives Queen's Birthday Honours
James Bertram is among six people in Ayrshire receiving Honours
Last updated 2nd Jun 2022
A community first responder from Largs is being awarded with a prestigious BEM Honour.
James Bertram is receiving the medal for his outstanding service to Police Scotland and his work with the Scottish Ambulance Service for 15 years.
The 54-year-old told West FM how much it means to him.
He said: “At no time throughout my career have I ever thought this would happen, so it was a complete surprise, a complete shock.
"It really is the proudest moment of my life to get an award from the Queen. You can't compare that to anything else."
Career and voluntary work
James worked as a Health and Safety Manager for Police Scotland for his full-time career.
During his time at Police Scotland he made countless decisions which drastically improved the health and safety of officers across the UK.
Among some of his achievements in the police were the development of a Health and Safety management system which serviced nearly 25,000 officers, the creation of a new internal HS Board, and producing preventative protocols and guidance to officers regarding Railway Line Safety.
He also pushed forward PPE equipment for officers in hazardous environments from new safety footwear through to hearing protection.
While excelling in his full-time career, James was also part of Largs first ever first responders team with the Scottish Ambulance service, giving up his free-time during the week and at weekends to help others.
He said: "To be able to make that difference is such an incredible feeling.
"There's so many people I've met in the community through first responding because I've gotten to help someone and their household in their hour of need at all times of the day or night.
"It really is something to look back on to be honest."
James is now waiting to find out when he will receive the honours, and hopes he’ll be able to travel down south with his wife to take part in the full experience.
He added: “It's uncharted territory, and that's pretty exciting for us. Hopefully I can take my wife Liz who's supported me both through my full time career and also as a volunteer, so it'll be really nice to be able to do that.”
What are the Queen's Birthday Honours?
Multiple Scots are being awarded honours as the nation gets ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Birthday Honours list marks the reigning British monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals’ appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals.
These awards range from Damehoods and Knighthoods, to OBEs and MBEs, and British Empire Medals.
There are six people from Ayrshire among the recipients of this year's honours.
Full list of Honours in Ayrshire
Sally Ann Kelly, Kilmarnock
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Families in Scotland
Rhona Gibson, Kilmarnock
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BME) for voluntary and charitable services in Scotland
Lesley Isobel Blair, Coylton
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Beauty Industry during Covid-19
Janis Heaney, Kilmarnock
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Public Health in Scotland during Covid-19
James Bertram, Largs
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BME) for services to Policing and to the community in Ayrshire
Walter Cunningham Peyton Smith, Largs
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Youth Enterprise and Education in Ayrshire