"I only hope the people that carried out this cowardly act on an unarmed man on his way to work will realise the total devastation that they have caused.

"Not only have they killed my husband, but they have now destroyed me and my entire family."

Stephen Saunders - killed in June 2000 by N17 group

Heather Saunders' powerful appeal for justice outside the gates of the British Embassy in Athens came only hours after the death of her husband.

Brigadier Stephen Saunders was killed in June 2000 by motorcycle gunmen as he drove to work at the embassy through the Athens traffic.

Despite the horror, she immediately threw herself into a relentless pursuit for justice.

A campaign which has so far resulted in 17 suspects, including the group's alleged leader and top gunman, being arrested.

All, said to be members of the secretive November 17 terror group, are in custody pending trial.

Real help

Mother-of-two Mrs Saunders, 45, of Melbury Osmond, Dorset, spoke of her surprise at being awarded an OBE for her headline-grabbing work.

She said: "My speaking out was so hard but it really did help.

N17 terrorist group logo

"It was a bit monotonous but I think people should speak out and say how they feel.

"Of course emotions make it very difficult but life does go on so now I have to smile.

"This honour is positive, it's something nice and makes me think it wasn't all in vain."

Following her husband's murder, Mrs Saunders worked round-the-clock for a breakthrough.

Badgered Athens motorists

She even handed out stickers to motorists in Athens urging them to help police.

Mrs Saunders also pressurised the Greek and British authorities to pursue the killers.

In October, she even filed a civil action allowing her to take part in the trial of the 17 suspected group members.

The terror group, which eluded authorities for decades, is blamed for 23 murders since 1975.

The proclamation issued by November 17 since Brigadier Saunders' killing said he was chosen because of the Nato campaign in Kosovo.

"It's not blood that I seek in revenge," Mrs Saunders told the Guardian earlier this year.

"I just want these people deprived of their freedom and taken away from their family and loved ones as I, my two daughters and my mother-in-law were taken away from ours."