A BLAENAVON man who marched during the Remembrance Day parade at the Cenotaph on Sunday has spoken of his pride on an “unforgettable” day.

John Yandle, 50, was one of just two members selected to represent the Welsh division of St John Ambulance in London.

The veteran, who served in the armed forces for 20 years until 2001, was one of 10,000 veterans at the parade.

“It was very, very moving,” he said. “It was an excellent day and very busy. I saw several people that I had served with down the years.

“There were people there that I hadn’t seen for over 20 years.

“I was honoured, humbled and touched to be there on such a special day.

“It was a lot better than I expected. To be marching next to disabled veterans and World War Two veterans was a real honour.”

Mr Yandle served for 20 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps but now works as a counsellor for people with post traumatic stress.

It was the first time he had attended the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Day parade, normally opting for a local ceremony to pay his respects.

“It was quite a long day,” he added. “I was busy preparing Saturday night then we had to be at the Cenotaph early on Sunday to run through a practice.

“But it was brilliant and a very moving day. It was fantastic.”

David Jolliffe, assistant commissioner for St John Ambulance in Gwent, was the one to nominate Mr Yandle.

He said: “This was a big honour for John and for the area as a whole as this is the first time that St John Wales have had representation in our own right at the Cenotaph.

“I nominated John as he’s a veteran himself, serving for over 20 years and I thought he massively deserved it for what he's done.”