RAF Museum volunteer awarded MBE for 50 years’ service

Roy Martin has been honoured in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List and presented with his MBE by HRH The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle

The long-serving volunteer was given the honour at a formal investiture ceremony on Tuesday 4 October where he received his insignia, in the presence of his wife and two sons.

The King's Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions of people across the UK, for their outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long-term, significant impact. Colleagues at the RAF Museum are delighted to see Roy awarded an MBE for his services and commitment to the heritage sector, and this award is a celebration of his decades of volunteering.

**Roy celebrates his MBE with fellow engineering volunteers** RAF Museum

Roy first volunteered at the museum 50 years ago as curator. After four years he returned to his engineering roots, overseeing the engineering volunteer team who support the museum’s technicians and apprentices to maintain the aircraft and keep them looking their best. Prior to joining the museum, Roy served in the RAF for 22 years as chief technician, including nine years at RAF Cosford.

“I was over the moon when I received my letter from Buckingham Palace back in June,” said Roy. “It wasn’t until we arrived at Windsor Castle that we were told The Prince of Wales would be awarding my medal at the investiture ceremony. This seemed special, with me being Welsh, and his association with the RAF. He was dressed in his RAF uniform which I thought was very appropriate for the background to my award. He mentioned my 50 years work at the RAF Museum and that he had visited the museum several times. It was a very sociable, relaxed and enjoyable few moments that I will never forget.”

**RAF Museum volunteer Roy Martin with his MBE medal** RAF Museum

He added: “Being involved in the evolution of the RAF Museum over the past 50 years has been an amazing experience. I find it very rewarding when I see the public admiring the exhibits maintained by my group of volunteers.”

RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton said: “The whole team is absolutely thrilled for Roy. He is a brilliant engineer and problem-solver and, even more important, he supports all of us with his warmth and generosity of spirit. We are so fortunate to be blessed with brilliant volunteers, and Roy’s award is a very fitting and much deserved tribute.”