The daughter of an Army band master has been honoured by the Queen for more than 70 years volunteering with the British Red Cross.
Madge Dobinson, of Great West Road, Hounslow, was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours announced recently and is to get a specially-made badge from the Red Cross for her seven decades of service.
The 94-year-old was always destined to become a nurse for the humanitarian group.
She grew up in the Himalayas and spent the First World War entertaining injured troops with her dad, mum and older sister.
However, it was only when she was back in London, working as an accountant, that Madge joined the charity, in 1937.
"I wanted to learn first aid and was going to join St John Ambulance but my dad persuaded me to try the Red Cross," said Madge.
"He was with the Royal Fusiliers band, which happened to have an engagement at a Red Cross function in the City that week, so I went along and the rest's history."
During the Second World War, Madge spent her weekends nursing patients at the old Hounslow Hospital - but it wasn't wounded soldiers she was tending to.
"There were a lot of accidents during the black-outs, with elderly people tripping in the dark, which kept us busy," she explained.
Since then, she has worked as a first aid instructor, nurse, catering officer and welfare escort, helping patients to and from hospital.
Although Madge has always been a model of health, her nursing skills have come in handy close to home.
"When I first moved to the Great West Road more than 50 years ago, I spent a lot of time shovelling people off the road, but it's much safer now," she said.
Madge officially retired from duty more than 20 years ago but is still an active volunteer, running the Guildhall Christmas Market every winter.
She also belongs to the Norwood Green Choral Society and is a former director of the New Cavendish Club, for ex-members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment.
