Harborough historian who has dedicated years to preserving war memorials is among local people on New Year Honours list

Denis Kenyon has worked tirelessly to tell the stories of those names on the memorials across Leicestershire, and the 87-year-old led the Hallaton in the Great War Project, which helped record the lives of 224 local women and men.

He also set up an exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the war - Hallaton in the Great War Tales of the Unexpected exhibition - at the local museum, which won the British National Museums and Heritage award in the museums on a small budget section.

And he led the project to plant 45 oak trees across the village, to mark those who died during the two world wars.

Mr Kenyon, who was recognised for services to war commemoration, said he was '"shell-shocked" to receive the award and wanted to thank the many people who have passed on their congratulations to him.

"I have been fortunate to have a great team around me. The award is not just for one person - it is all about teamwork," he added.

For Mr Keynon, his mission started on a drizzly Remembrance Day about 50 years ago.

"I was standing in the drizzle, listening to all the names from the Hallaton memorial being called out and I thought 'these names don't mean anything to anybody'. So I went away and researched them," he said.

"There are not just names on the memorials - they are real people.

“We owe such a debt to those named on the memorials and the least we can do is to preserve these important physical reminders of sacrifice and service."

Mr Kenyon also launched was the Leicester City, County & Rutland At Risk War Memorials Project, which has helped to preserve 54 memorials across the county.

Other recipients of honours in the Harborough area include Liam Johnston, who was awarded an MBE for services to the rail industry.

The 60-year-old, from Lutterworth, has been lead chaplain for the national charity Railway Mission for 25 years, providing pastoral care to railway workers.

He supported staff affected by major incidents, including the Ufton Nervet disaster in 2004, and offered support to police officers after the Manchester Arena attack and Grenfell Tower fire in London.

Mr Johnston said: “Being awarded an MBE is a tremendous honour, and I’m deeply grateful. While my name may be on the citation, this recognition belongs to all of us at Railway Mission; to every chaplain and colleague who quietly shows up day after day for railway people. It also belongs to our supporters, without whom we would not be able to achieve as much as we do for the railway family.

“I am proud to accept this as an award for the whole Railway Mission team, as tribute to the compassion, professionalism and commitment that underpins our work.”

Also in the Harborough area, Rosalind Willatts has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Wilbarston.

For many years, she has been giving her time to the village as a parish councillor, bell ringer, editor of the parish magazine, PC liaison with the primary school and has collected for the Poppy Appeal.

“This is an award for ordinary people who work for their community,” she said.

“I have just been doing what my family has always done for many years – played a part in their local community.”

Linda Marshall from Fleckney has also been awarded a British Empire Medal for services in the community of Fleckney. She has been chair of trustees at Fleckney Community Library since 2016 and was chair of governors at Fleckney CE Primary School from 2004 to 2023/ Linda said: “I have been supported by many dedicated people over the years at both the library and the school.

"My work in the community would not have been possible without their support and I am grateful to them all.

"Volunteering has been an important part of my life and it is a huge and unexpected honour to receive the BEM. I am so proud for the community of Fleckney.”