BLACK Country armed forces veteran John Deane, who was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours, was joined by distinguished guests when he was officially presented with his Royal accolade.

John Deane, from the Dudley branch of the RAF association, received the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s honours list and was presented with the gong at a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Dudley - Councillor Margaret Aston.

The Lord Lieutenant Mr. Paul Sabapathy CBE officially presented the award to 78-year-old RAF veteran Mr Deane, from Kingswinford, who said: “I was thrilled to be given this honour and have my sister to thank for nominating me. I get real pleasure from the work I do for the RAF Association and in the community generally.”

Other guests at the ceremony, held in the Mayor’s parlour on March 19, included retired Air Vice Marshall Mike Smart and Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty RARF.

Mr Deane, who served in Iraq and Cyprus during his national service from 1955 to 1957, has been involved with Dudley Royal Air Force Association for the last 50 years and has worked tirelessly to promote the association, raise funds and remind the community of the importance of the armed forces.

He now works with Air Training Corps across the borough inspiring young people and plays a key part in Dudley’s civic calendar including the council’s Remembrance Day and Armistice Day services. He was also runner up in last year’s Mayor’s Civic Awards Mayor’s award.