Botesdale man receives British Empire Medal

A Botesdale man has been awarded the British Empire Medal for voluntary service to veterans and aviation heritage.

Bill Espie, 72, the curator of the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre, in Honington, has for five years helped to redevelop and support the centre inside the RAF base and has also been an ambassador for veterans of the RAF Regiment.

His work has now been recognised the Queen's New Year's Honours List, 2019.

Mr Espie said: “I am completely gob-smacked to be getting the award, but it is also nice to be recognised for something like this.

“When the envelope arrived, it said: ‘Urgent Personal - Cabinet Office’ and I thought: what have I done to upset Theresa May?”

Since the redevelopment of the centre Bill has created a website, an online shop and a Facebook page for it as well as helping to preserve the centre’s artefacts, including 13 working vehicles such as a 1924 Rolls-Royce armoured car.

“What has been done in the RAF over the last 100 years, from 1918 to now, is so important to our country’s history and I feel it should be preserved for future generation to see,” added Mr Espie.

Bill Espie, who also served 30 years in the RAF Regiment before retiring in Bury St Edmunds, felt the centre’s continuing rise was not just down to him and felt all involved should take credit for the accolade.

He said: “The award is something for the team that I have led really, and it is a credit to all of those that do their bit, from everything including fixing engines, joining and painting.”

Future plans include creating a virtual tour of the museum online to make the site even more accessible for everyone.