Family comes first as Tommy leaves Legion

Tommy Morrison, a dedicated member of the Royal British Legion, is standing down after more than four decades of service to his beloved West Lothian branch.

Tommy Morrison, 74, has been a member of the Royal British Legion's Bathgate branch for 44 years and was most recently its chairman and president for the last nine years.

It was under Mr Morrison's reign as president that the West Lothian club won the Henderson Cup in 2008 for the Edinburgh and Lothians area.

The award is given to medium-sized branches with between 101 and 600 members for being the most efficient and progressive in all aspects of Legion activities.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work with the Legion but there comes a time when you have to get your priorities right," said Mr Morrison, a steel moulder by trade who worked at Bathgate's former British Leyland plant.

"I will miss it big time. For the last two weeks there has been no phone calls or messages which I usually have to write down on a notepad when I get home at night.

"There comes a time when you get older that family commitments come first, but my wife Mary has been the backbone of my work and stood by me all those years."

Mr Morrison – originally from Armadale, but who moved to Bathgate 49 years ago – and his wife Mary will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary next year.

They have two sons and five grandchildren.

Bathgate branch member Bob Ness said: "The committee would like to thank Tommy for the years and time he dedicated to the running of the Bathgate British Legion Club Ltd."

The lounge in the club was also dedicated to Mr Morrison in 1999 in recognition of his service.

Mr Morrison has been active within the British Legion since the 1960s and held the official positions of vice-president and secretary for the first time in 1974.

He was also vice-chairman of Bathgate's War Memorial Relocation Committee, which was moved by TV star Anneka Rice.

From 1993 until January this year, Mr Morrison was the chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Area Council – the first time a Bathgate delegate has held an official position at this level.

He has been awarded the gold badge, life membership of RBLS and meritorious certificates in recognition of his service.