The 81-year-old Lawrence man has been waiting 65 years to receive his St John grand prior's youth award - a presentation that began with a ceremony in Dunedin in 1943 that never finished properly and concludes today with another gathering in Lawrence, where an excited Mr Ikin will, at long last, get his hands on the award he earned as a keen 16-year-old.
World War 2 was responsible for the six and a-half decade gap in this story.
Mr Ikin, who trained as a St John cadet in Dunedin in the early 1940s, gained his award in 1943 and the official badge was sent from England, but the ship carrying it and others destined for New Zealand was torpedoed in battle and the badge never made its final destination.
A chance conversation between Mr Ikin and some Lawrence Order of St John staff earlier this year started to set things right and bring about a union 65 years in the making.
Mr Ikin was asked if he wanted to join the Caring Caller programme, where St John members regularly telephone elderly members of the community.
During their initial chat, Mr Ikin mentioned his long ties to the St John movement and the fact he never received his award.
That set off a chain of events in which an official confirmed the incident and ordered a replacement award to be sent for a new presentation - to be held at the Lawrence St John rooms tomorrow at 3pm.
Mr Ikin vividly recalls his first prior's award ceremony in Dunedin in 1943, when his name was called to come forward for the presentation, only to be told moments later to sit down because the award had not arrived.
"Someone told me after I had stood up that the award was missing. I was a bit gutted and have never really been the same since," he said, laughing.
The award had been the result of several years' work attaining passes in home care, bush craft, first aid and other subject areas.
"I enjoyed St John and the things I learned there have never left me."
He later spent 23 years as a scout leader, where he taught the boys first aid among other things.
"It's the whole thing of caring for others that I have enjoyed."
So it came as a total surprise when he was recently asked to come to the Lawrence rooms today to receive - finally - the award that has eluded him since 1943.
"I'm absolutely chuffed. It's just wonderful and I can't really get over it. I'm still trying to get my mind around it."
St John area committee relationship manager Darrel Robinson was delighted for Mr Ikin.
"It's not often that this type of situation comes to light, but it's a great thrill to be able to set things right and present Mr Ikin with his grand prior's award."
