There have been highs and lows throughout Mr Watkins' career - spanning over three decades.

The St Agnes' Catholic Parish Emmaus resident will pay his respects to his fellow service people on November 11 - Remembrance Day.

At 11am on November, 11 1918 the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.

Mr Watkins said Remembrance Day has evolved to remember those who served in the first world war and all conflicts since.

He was just 21-years-old when he was called up to join the British Army in 1960.

Mr Watkins was conscripted to undertake his national service for a period of two years.

"I thought initially I had avoided the call up," he said.

"But then the envelope arrived in the mail.

"Those two years turned into a whole lot longer."

Mr Watkins said he enjoyed being part of the armed services, as his career took him all over the world.

His early career included nine tours to Northern Ireland and later on he was also responsible for the training of Afghan soldiers.

Mr Watkins was in a land rover vehicle when another soldier, who was sitting next to him, was killed when a bullet hit him in the head.

"That's the sort of life we were leading," he said.

A career highlight for Mr Watkins was being a guard for the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

He worked his way through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr Watkins was awarded with medals to acknowledge his high service within the British Army, including the MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

Mr Watkins has been married to his wife Fay for 11 years and she is proud of him.

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