The Grand Hall at Birmingham University was the esteemed venue where 46 people from the West Midlands area received their British Empire Medal on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Due to the delays caused by COVID the recipients were included in the New Years Honours 2020 list as well as the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020. After a 21 month wait, one of the recipients of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service (BEM) was our very own superstar Gilbert William Preece BEM.

Gil was awarded the BEM for " Services to Football and the Community in Bentley and Darlaston". Gil was accompanied to the Investiture by his niece Vanessa as well as close long-time friend Jane Glover and Club Chairman Neil Chambers.

Gil was introduced to the stage by former 400m Olympic bronze Medalist Katharine Merry and received his medal from John Crabtree MBE Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands. Amongst the other recipients on the day was Rex Williams former World Billiards Champion.

Also in attendance at the event was The High Sheriff of the West Midlands, The Lord Mayors of Birmingham, and of Coventry together with the Mayors of Dudley, Sandwell. Wolverhampton, Solihull, and Mayor of Walsall Cllr. Rose Burley.

Sometime later this year or early next year Gil has been invited to a Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Everyone at the club sends our Biggest Congratulations to Gilbert William Preece BEM.

The photograph below shows Katharine Merry and Walsall Major Cllr. Rose Burley and Gil Preece.