Veterans and those supporting the veteran community are being celebrated in HM The King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List.
It includes service personnel and those supporting the Armed Forces community who have gone the extra mile, including active community champions and dedicated fundraisers..
Their work exemplifies the focus of this year’s List, which is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of thousands of people across the country – such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, you can nominate them at https://www.gov.uk/honours.
Notable recipients:
Lord Etherton receives a GBE for public service including to LGBT veterans after he delivered an independent review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans to examine the effect of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the UK Armed Forces. The review made 49 recommendations to the Government, to ensure the service and experience of every veteran is understood and valued, in relation to the LGBT veteran community. The recommendations included the restoration of medals that were required to be handed back on dismissal or discharge, the awarding of campaign and other medals that were withheld, the clarification of pension rights and the presentation of the Veterans Badge.
Hari Bahadur Budha Magar receives an MBE for services to disability awareness after raising nearly £884,000 for five charities that support veterans and regularly attends and hosts charitable events. Hari lost both his legs in an explosive blast in Afghanistan in 2010 whilst serving as a Gurkha in the British Army. In 2023 he was the world’s first double above the knee amputee to ascend Mount Everest, despite extreme conditions and challenges during the trek. Hari used it as an opportunity to deliver a message of hope, addressing schools across the UK and speaking in parliament.
Angela Marie Forbes receives an MBE for her work as a founding partner of BuildForce, a business that supports service leavers and veterans into careers in the construction industry. During her tenure as Chief Executive, BuildForce had over 150 registered industry employers actively recruiting ex-military; supported 400 veterans into full time, permanent careers; and trained 800 mentors in industry. This has enormously benefited an industry that has often struggled to attract diverse, new talent and has supported veterans into fulfilling and stable employment after leaving service.
