Shield to honour memory of RNLI and BB stalwart
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THE memory of a stalwart of both Buckie RNLI and 1st Buckie Boys’ Brigade has been honoured in a special presentation.
Reflecting a close association dating back 75 years to the formation of the town's BB Company, the team of volunteer life-savers at the lifeboat station have presented a memorial shield in the name of Adam Robertson, who passed away in 2020.
Mr Robertson was a Deputy Launch Authority with the RNLI as well as a dedicated former chairman of the station's fund-raising branch, while also previously serving as an officer with the BBs in Portessie
The Adam Robertson Memorial Shield will be awarded annually to the senior boy in 1st Buckie Boys’ Brigade who most embodies the Brigade’s core values and displays the Brigade qualities of commitment, integrity and leadership.
Doing the honours on behalf of Buckie RNLI was Mr Robertson's grandson Kieran, himself a crewman serving on board Buckie's lifeboat William Blannin.
He is the third generation of the family to have been a member of the Boys’ Brigade in the town and to go on to volunteer with Buckie lifeboat. Unusually, he also volunteers as a member of the Macduff RNLI lifeboat crew.
The Adam Robertson Memorial Shield was presented to Company Captain Alan McIntosh BEM by lifeboat crew-member Kieran Robertson – grandson of Adam Robertson, and the third generation of the family to have been a member of the Boys’ Brigade in the town and to go on to volunteer with Buckie Lifeboat. Unusually, he also volunteers as a member of the Macduff RNLI lifeboat crew.
Keiran’s father, Alan Robertson, earned his Queen’s Badge as a member of 1st Buckie Company before joining the crew of Buckie Lifeboat. He progressed through the ranks to be appointed coxswain in 2006, in which capacity he served until 2020 when he became a full time RNLI fleet coxswain.
Also attending the presentation ceremony was RNLI Buckie lifeboat deputy mechanic Brian Forbes – one of three current Buckie lifeboat crew to have earned their Queen’s Badge with 1st Buckie Company – and Boys’ Brigade Lieutenant Gordon Pirie MBE.
Presenting the Shield, Mr Robertson said: “The Boys’ Brigade was in many ways the making of my grandfather, my father and I.
"We grew up in the Brigade and we carried forward it’s tradition of service in our volunteer roles with Buckie Lifeboat. It’s a privilege to present this trophy in my grandfather’s memory and I hope it will provide a focal point, inspiring future generations of Buckie’s young men to excel in the Brigade and in life.”
Accepting the shield on behalf of the BBs was Company Captain Alan McIntosh BEM
He commented: “The 1st Buckie Boys’ Brigade is at the heart of this town’s community. With over 200 members, it is the largest Boys’ Brigade company in the entire United Kingdom. Generations of the Robertson family – and many others like them – have exemplified all that is best in the young men we hope to shape as they navigate their inspirational journey through the Boys’ Brigade and into adulthood.”
Adam Robertson passed away suddenly in May 202 just days before his 70th birthday – when he was due to retire from his role as DLA – at his Mill Crescent home in Buckie.
Prior to retirement he spent his working life with local government building control, finishing off as a manager.
Well-known and respected for putting other first and his commitment to the local community, Mr Robertson was a founder member and later secretary of the Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Centre Ltd.
In addition to his roles with these organisations, he served an elder with the North Church, where he was a volunteer driver for the church minibus, and he helped deliver the Rotary Christmas Post, although he was not a Rotary member.
Mr Robertson went on to help out the Portgordon Fireworks Committee.
