William Tilley honoured for 90 years of service with the CLB

William Tilley joined the Church Lads'Brigadein April 1925. On Thursday, he was honoured for his 90th yearof service.

Tilley, a Major with the group, was presented with a 90-year Gold Service Bar at a ceremony in St. John's. The award comes just a few days before his 102ndbirthday.

There's no secret, it's just living day by day.- William Tilley

"I certainly enjoyed my years with the brigade," he said in a small speech at his award ceremony."Thank you all for the time I had with the CLB."

According to a speech read out for his introduction, Tilley joined the CLB and was given regimental number 2527. In 1939, he became the Drum Major in the CLB Regimental Band, a position he held for 63 years.

According the prepared remarks, he became "one of the greatest role models for youth in the Brigades's long, renowned history."

Tilleygave a small speech where he described growing up on Plymouth Road in St. John's.

He said he grew interested in bands and brigades at a young age, and remembered as a child hearing soldiers and bands in the large field near his home.

'Just living day by day'

"Next to our house was quite a big opening. So every morning, at about half past 10, I could hear the drums," he said.

After he retired from the band, he continued working at the archives at the CLB and helped rebuild the archives after a fire destroyed the CLB building in 1992.

"There's no secret, it's just living day by day," he told CBC News about his long life. "I guess I was a teetotaler."

"I can't imagine there'd be too many other peoplewho are in any organization let alone being alive for 90 years," his son GlenTilley added.