A Redbourn man has been recognised in this year’s Royal Air Force New Year’s Honours List.

Sergeant Daz Mayhew has been awarded the Air Officer Commanding Group Commendation, (AOC) for his work in an outreach programme involving youth activities.

Sergeant Mayhew has been stationed at RAF Halton since 1989 and since then he has served in operations including the First Gulf War in 1999, where he received an AOC commendation for Operation Granby, Bosnia in 1993, 1994 and 1995, Kosovo, Pristina in 1998, Iraq, Basra in 2009 and Afghanistan, Helmand Province in 2011.

The 46-year-old said he is "humbled and elated" to be recognised for his volunteering efforts with school pupils, scouts and cubs between the ages of seven and 13-years-old.

Sergeant Mayhew of Holts Meadow said: "I was quite shocked by it all to be honest. It’s not every day you are recognised in the military New Years Honours list.

"I am humbled. It is a massive honour to be appreciated and recognised."

Sergeant Mayhew’s work involves educating young people about the work of the military and trenches, as well team work and communication building.

When asked why he enjoyed working with children, he said: "It is just seeing them come in as a bit of a rebel and then leaving a bubbly, happy, young person, who can work in a team.

"It is a lot about team building and learning to respect people."

As well as this, Sergeant Mayhew, often visits schools to educate children about Remembrance Day.

He said: "Children don’t always understand the importance of Remembrance Day and why we have it.

"When you ask them why we have Remembrance Day, they often tell me about a two minute silence, but they don’t actually know why we mark Remembrance Day.

"I visit to talk to them about why we have a Remembrance Day. During the talk, they seem to take it all in and understand why it is important to respect the people who have sacrificed their lives for you."

Sergeant Mayhew plans to celebrate his Commendation, alongside his wife Dawn, two sons Luke, 27, Lee, 23 and step-children Victoria, 10 and James, 13.