A FORMER Army cadet colonel who met the Queen twice and witnessed her coronation in London in 1953 as a schoolboy has told of his sadness at her death.

Honorary Colonel James Gallacher MBE, who is now 83, took part in the historic moment in 1953 as a 14-year-old cadet.

He was chosen as best army cadet of Renfrewshire Cadet B Company and was joined by fellow cadets on the 'Coronation Scot' train to London.

Colonel Gallacher, who lives in Langbank with his wife Irene, said: "I was greatly saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty the Queen's passing.

"She was a wonderful and inspiring lady.

"I was very privileged to meet her on two occasions along with my wife at Redford Barracks and Stirling Castle."

James has also met King Charles III, who presented him with a royal honour for 50 years of service to the Army Cadets in 2005.

Colonel Gallacher said: "He presented me with the MBE on behalf of Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace.

"My condolences are with the Royal family.

"It is the end of an era."

Speaking to the Telegraph earlier this year at the time of the Platinum Jubilee, James had paid tribute to the Queen, saying: "I think it is wonderful that the Queen has reigned all this time, she has been so loyal to the country and took an oath to fulfil her duty.

"She is marvellous and quite a remarkable lady."

Colonel Gallacher rose through the ranks, becoming a commissioned officer then rising to deputy commandant and retiring as honorary colonel aged 70.

He says he can still remember the Queen's coronation as if it were yesterday.

James said: "It was amazing - I treated it as a great honour.

"I was chosen for being the best cadet in my unit.

"I had told a fib to get into the army cadets - I was only 12 when I joined in 1951 and you were meant to be 14.

"It was wonderful, I remember we slept in sleeping bags on straw beds on the floor of a barracks somewhere.

"There was a tremendous atmosphere - the forces marching out the barracks, the bands playing with them, pipers and all the noise.

"The palace was on the right hand side and I saw the Queen going to get crowned in Westminster Abbey and coming back in her carriage.

"Even then at that age, I realised the significance and I knew I was witnessing history."