RAF veteran from Driffield honoured
John Forrester gets the British Empire medal for services to the Royal British Legion
A Driffield man has received the British Empire medal in the Kings New year honours.
Former RAF serviceman John Forrester has devoted 40 years to the Royal British Legion organising the area's poppy appeal and helping to create and maintain the Driffield Remembrance gardens.
He's described as being a focal point in in raising over £600,000.
With limited facilities for organising such a large-scale operation each year, he dedicates his garage and garden shed to the preparation and delivery of the Poppy Appeal, ensuring all runs smoothly and effectively.
Without his dedication many commemorations would not have taken place there
Fuelled by his 22 years’ service with the RAF, he arranges the fifty RBL wreaths for local groups within the community each November and has been the Driffield Remembrance Gardens’ organiser since its inception in 2003.
From cleaning the remembrance shelter, removing graffiti on the garden walls, picking litter and assisting in renovation work, he has prevented the area from becoming neglected, ensuring it is maintained to the highest standard.
Without his dedication to the Garden, many commemorations would not have taken place there, preventing the Community from coming together to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Taking time also to speak with young people who visit the Garden, he explains the importance of the memorial and the RBL’s work, inspiring the future of remembrance.
It's a marvellous honour
He has also acted as the Branch’s Welfare Officer for 25 years, ensuring ex-service personnel and veterans never feel alone and are provided with the necessary support they require.
We spoke to him about the award.
He said: "I received this letter and I thought - what's this it's come from the Government."
"When I opened it and discovered I was going to get the British Empire Medal well it really was quite emotional. "
"I've never been put forward for something like this - it came right out of the blue."
"It's a marvellous honour - I didn't expect people like me to be getting this sort thing."
I like to be involved
"Basically it's a hobby that keeps me occupied, especially in retirement."
"I'm not the kind of person who likes sitting round doing nothing - I like to be involved."
Congratulations go to John and the other local winners.
They include Betty Phillipson from Hull who gets the British Empire Medal for services to cycling and the local community.
Also getting the same award is Darren Sims from East Yorkshire for services to charity helping disabled and disadvantaged young people and Christine Mellor from Flamborough for services to public libraries.