D-Day veteran recognised in New Year Honours

A D-Day veteran who signed up to join the war effort on his 18th birthday has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Bernard Morgan from Crewe, Cheshire has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to volunteering and history.

He landed in Normandy, France, as part of the assault on Gold Beach in 1944, on a Bedford truck carrying a cypher machine.

Mr Morgan, who turns 102 in February, has previously been awarded with a number of military medals – including a Légion d'Honneur from the French government.

Mr Morgan was based in Germany in May 1945 working in an intelligence unit.

During his time in the war, he signed the secrecy act and was involved in code breaking.

In recent years Mr Morgan has given talks for museums, schools and cadet groups – and it is this work which has seen him made an MBE.

"I feel very fortunate to have been selected," he said.

He added that he hoped his work had made a positive impact on the next generation.

"I appreciate the way they've accepted all the things that I've taken to show them about the second world war," he said.

"I always tell them the heroes from the war are the men and women in the Navy, the Army and the Air Force who gave their lives for the freedom that we have today."

He said he could not believe it at first when he was told he had been included on the honours list.

"It's a great honour to receive an award of that value," he said. "I'm very grateful to receive it."

Earlier this year, he participated in a special exhibition of letters and documents in a collaborative project between BBC Local Radio in the Midlands and the National Memorial Arboretum.

Mr Morgan's son-in-law Tony said his family and friends had long felt his work had deserved formal acknowledgement.

"We're all immensely proud of him, it's a wonderful recognition of his services over the years," he said.

"It's something we've always felt he deserves – not just for landing on D- Day and going through the war, but all the hours he's put in, in recent years.

"The younger generation find it interesting – and fascinating to get such a firsthand account that he's able to give them.

"He has maintained an incredible memory and knowledge of all those years, and he's still a very accomplished speaker."

The 11 Cheshire residents recognised in the King's New Year Honours 2026 are:

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

• Mrs Kathrine Helen Cowell - chair, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - for services to the NHS

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

• Dr Jonathan Hague - executive, Unilever and chair, Liverpool City Region Innovation Board - for services to research, innovation and economic development
• Prof Martin Humphries - professor of biochemistry, University of Manchester - for services to bioscience
• Mrs Linda Jones - chief executive officer, Prospere Learning Trust - for services to education

Members of the Order of the British Empire

• Prof Alan Boyd - president and chief executive officer, Boyd Consultants - for services to gene therapy and to medical education
• Mrs Susan Briegal - lately chief executive officer, World Netball and chair, North West Rowing Council - for services to sport.
• Prof Peter Farrell - construction management professor emeritus, University of Greater Manchester - for services to higher education and to the construction industry
• Miss Alex Greenwood - for services to association football
• Mr Bernard Morgan - volunteer, Imperial War Museum - for services to volunteering and to history

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

• Mrs Margaret Clarke - foster carer - for services to foster care
• Mr Geoffrey Wellens - for services to heritage and to the community in Middleton, Greater Manchester

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