A former Royal Navy serviceman who led a project to research all the names on Perth Academy’s war memorial was presented with an MBE.
David Dykes was granted the honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List in 2021, which was awarded for services to Perth Academy, Scotland and to the Perth community.
Lord-Lieutenant Stephen Leckie presented the 69-year-old with his MBE at an Investiture ceremony at Perth Academy on Monday, June 13.
Since 2015, he has worked with the school and its pupils to research and honour the school’s pupils who died in World War 1.
Mr Dykes served in the Royal Navy before joining Perth Academy as a teacher of Design and Technology in 1988.
After retiring in 2015, he set up the Flowers of the Forest group to commemorate those who fell on the anniversaries of their deaths.
He has worked with local history groups and the AK Bell library on his research. Where possible he found and contacted relatives of those named on the memorial, some of whom live as far afield as Canada.
The AK Bell library staged an exhibition on his research and Mr Dykes has also helped elderly relatives attend commemorations of their family members in Perth Academy.
Mr Leckie said: “As Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross and on behalf of the Queen, I was privileged to present David with his MBE. The Flowers of the Forest group has had a big impact on Perth Academy and beyond.”
“It is important we never forget the sacrifices made by earlier generations and this project not only commemorates those former Perth Academy pupils who fell during World War 1 but has also created a valuable historical resource that has brought communities and generations together.”
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Middlemiss BEM DL officiated in his Deputy Lieutenant role at the ceremony, which was also attended by Councillor John Rebbeck, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s learning and families committee who hosted a Civic Reception to mark the occasion.
Councillor Rebbeck said: “Education is more than just literacy and numeracy. As a teacher David ensured his pupils were fully involved in this valuable research project, expanding the boundaries of the traditional education remit.
“David’s award is richly deserved, and I was delighted to share in the occasion with him, his family and friends.”
