LITTLE did 24-year-old Alan Walton know that seeing a man break his leg in a scooter accident in 1963 would change his life.

He had been living in Kidlington for three years when, returning home one night, he witnessed a man fall off his Vespa and break his leg.

Mr Walton felt so helpless as he watched the accident unfold that he vowed to join St John Ambulance (SJA) as a volunteer.

Some 52 years later and he has been treating strains, sprains and pain around Oxfordshire ever since.

The 77-year-old is one of only two people in the county given the St John gilt Laurel Leaf award this year, commonly referred to as the “gilt Oak Leaf” award among volunteers.

Mr Walton, a grandfather of two who was a science teacher at Gosford Hill School for 37 years, said: “I was very pleased because this year in the whole of Oxfordshire there was only two of us who have received this particular award.

“You never know what you’ll be faced with when you’re providing first aid cover and it’s incredibly varied and so enjoyable.

“I was coming home one day when I saw a man on his Vespa and he came off, broke his leg and I had no idea what to do.

“I just knew he needed first aid and I felt helpless.

“Since learning first aid I’ve never felt helpless again because first aid is such a simple skill to learn but it can have a great impact.”

The gilt Laurel Leaf is given to volunteers in service after 52 years.

It is worn with the service medal of the Order of St John, which is the only British medal that bears the head of Queen Victoria on current issue, according to SJA spokeswoman Kate Rutsch.

The system is based on the military format of receiving a service award for 12 years of service and a further award every five years after that.

In 2013 Mr Walton’s first aid skills were once again put to good use near his home when a woman chopped off the top off two of her fingers with a mower.

The veteran first aider was able to hurry the injured woman into his house to treat her while his wife called for an ambulance.

Kidlington volunteer and unit president Clare Phillips heaped praise on Mr Walton and said she has been thrilled to work alongside him.

She added: “It is a privilege to work alongside Alan. His ability to communicate with all ages and his depth of knowledge of St John Ambulance is an inspiration to us all.

“He should be extremely proud of his achievements.”

Mr Walton added that receiving the honour was one of three things he is most proud of – the others being meeting and marrying his wife, with whom he has had two children, and becoming a teacher.