Sponsored by Shell company in China， William started a seriesof unusual journeys. He went to Yumenguan at the border of Gansuand Xinjiang in the west， and Laolongtou at Shanhaiguan in the east，and finally enumerated the reasons causing damage to the Great Wall：natural erosion， industrial development， wars， revolution， and tourismdevelopment … all of which have contributed to some degree or other.
In 2007， 20 years after William’s journey along the Great Wall，“the International Friends of the Great Wall” in conjunction with somegovernment departments held photographic exhibition. In the GreatWall Re-visited， 72 old and new photos were exhibited， showing peoplehow in a hundred years time the Great Wall visibly deteriorated.
One picture is worth a thousand words. When a British media reportedthis exhibition， it used such a title， “Two Williams’ Great Wall”。
In the same year， he wanted to launch an activity program withchildren and students participation. “They are the future of a countryand the world. I hope more young people will be environmentalists.
We must look at the Great Wall from a new angle. It’s not only anancient architecture， but also a great sight; it’s not only a thing weuse today， but also a treasure we must protect well for tomorrow.” His104 message was to preserve the glory of the past for the generations tocome.
Receiving commendations of Both CountriesIn 2004 when William visited National Geographic again， hebought another globe from the same shop. He was surprised to findthat the Great Wall was no longer appearing on the globe. Returningto Beijing， he read a few articles which mentioned that the Great Wallperished from many of the sites due to natural erosion and wanton humandestruction. He realized the reason as to why the Great Wall wasno longer shown on the globe. He felt the need for greater vigilanceand supervision in the protection of the archaeological monument andsoon had a team of more then 50 volunteers between the ages of 2and 50 who served as loyal watchdogs. Besides his two sons and hiswife who always were sources of encouragement， many Chinese andforeigners joined hands， inspired by his indomitable spirit， in the protectionand maintenance of the Great Wall.
William was blessed with two sons， Jimmy， the eldest studiedat Beijing No. 55 Middle School， and Tommy the youngest son studiedat Beijing Fangcaodi Primary School. While in school they weregroomed in Chinese， at home they conversed in English. Consequentlythey grew proficient in both languages. Jimmy inherited his father’
s sports genes and developed great interests and talents in outdoorsports. His youngest son， though still a minor， participated in many activitiesfor protection of the Great Wall. William groomed his two sonsas his able successors for the noble cause.
In 1998， William received commendation of the State Councilfor his contribution to the protection of the Great Wall， and also the“Friendship Medal”。 At the banquet held on the National Day of thatyear， he and other foreigner volunteers who received citations andawards were received as guests of Premier Zhu Rongji， of the StateCouncil.
William was held in highesteem by the Chinese people forhis pursuit of the noble cause ofprotecting the ancient monument.
Foreigner as he was， he cameacross thousands of miles fromhis hometown. He was a nobleman with noble thoughts. Chinawas not his country of origin yethe labored hard for a great cause.
It was not his duty but a greatpassion.
On July 12 ， 2006， WilliamLindesey was honored with “Order of the British Empire” inacknowledgement of his profound contribution toward conservationof the world heritage site. OBE is conferred upon people from differentwalks of life for outstanding contribution for a great cause. It issomewhat equivalent to “May 1st Labor Medal” in China. In order toreceive the medal presented by the British queen， William had to dress106 in borrowed tuxedo， as he never possessed one. After the ceremony，William， his wife and two sons， Jimmy and Tommy， unfolded flags ofChina and Britain， and had pictures taken before the Buckingham Palace.
Recollection the words of encouragement by the Queen and hisassurance of continuing the work for next 100 years his wife Wu Qiasked him if he would live that long， William looked at Jimmy andTommy with a significant smile in silence.
Translated by Li ShujuanRevised by P. K. Banerjea