So proud of our heroes - full list of Queen's honours

Previously unsung heroes from across the Black Country, Staffordshire and Wyre Forest are celebrating picking up the prestigious honour.

The most poignant recipient is undoubtedly Stephen Sutton, whose mother Jane said his MBE definitely got her late son's famous 'thumbs up'.

Other winners included MP Bill Cash, given a knighthood in recognition of his long fight to uphold Westminster parliamentary sovereignty against the drift of powers towards Brussels.

OBEs have gone to Gillian Cartwright, headteacher at Old Park School in Brierley Hill, Dudley, and Johanne Tomlinson, a staff nurse at HMP Stafford.

Walsall political volunteer Walter Burley gets an MBE, as does Smethwick community hero Irene Ellis and armed forces veteran Colonel David Hill.

Kidderminster-based Prince's Trust coordinator Sonya Hill, of West Midlands Police, as well as Guides volunteer Pamela Mason, from Dudley and Simon Platford, deputy head at Dudley's High Arcal School, all receive MBEs.

Kim Thorneywork, who works for the Skills Funding Agency in Stourbridge, get a CBE for services to education.

And British Empire Medals go to Kevin Lee, acting special sergeant with West Midlands Police and Sandwell resident Geoffrey Spicer, for services to indoor bowling and the community.

See also: Stephen Sutton awarded MBE after his death from cancer

Karen Townsley, from Bloxwich, also gets the British Empire Medal for community services, while Philip Sawyer from Ombersley receives the same honour for charity services in Worcestershire.

Meanwhile Sharow Row, a retiring Assistant Chief Constable with West Midlands Police, picks up the Queen's Police Medal.

Of Stephen Sutton's posthumour honour, Staffordshire County Council leader Philip Atkins said it was 'richly deserved'.

He added: "The Queen's Birthday Honours List is very much about ordinary people who have made an extraordinary contribution to their community or society – and Stephen Sutton is a shining example of this.

"Stephen's story continues to be an inspirational one and this is a richly deserved honour for a truly remarkable Staffordshire teenager."

Mr Ian Dudson HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said that the 19-year-old had been approached and accepted the MBE before his death. Knighthood recipient and Conservative Mr Cash, MP for Stone, was calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union long before the mainstream party leaders were willing to consider the idea.

He has also fought for women's rights, tabling a Gender Equality in International Development Bill which became law this year.

Mr Cash said: "Having been in the House for a long time and having devoted so much of my time as a backbencher to my determination to uphold parliamentary sovereignty and to have a referendum on the Europe question and to oppose European integration, I believe that we are now moving in the right direction." Picking up the Queen's Police Medal, Assistant Chief Constable Row said she was delighted and honoured. A former Metropolitan Police officer in a variety of roles, she was regional lead for policing the Olympics in 2012 and worked to improve community relations in the West Midlands.

She said: "I enjoyed every minute of my career in the police which presents fresh challenges every day. It has been my privilege to serve the public and I am humbled by this award."

Elsewhere in the force Pc Hill is honoured for being the driving force behind a project run by West Midlands Police and the Prince's Trust since 2006 that has helped transform thousands of young lives.

Now in its seventh year, the highly-acclaimed 'Team' programme has helped almost 2,000 people aged between 16 and 25 to focus on their futures and has contributed to a drop in re-offending rates across the region. The new MBE said: "Never in a million years did I think I would be recognised in this way."

Simon Platford, who teaches at High Arcal School, said he was humbled to be named for services to education.

"I'm absolutely delighted and humbled, it is fantastic." Colonel David Hill, of Compton in Wolverhampton, who has been honoured for services to armed forces veterans and their families.

The 68-year-old became chairman of the Walsall branch of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) in 2002, having joined as a volunteer the previous year.

The charity helps former and serving members of the United Kingdom British Armed Forces and their families or dependants. Colonel Hill is credited with transforming his branch into a strong entity capable of meeting the needs of the Services community in the area. He continued as chairman when the Walsall SSAFA merged with the Dudley and Wolverhampton branches in 2012 to create West Midlands North branch, covering 100 square miles of the Black Country. The father-of-two, whose son James is a serving officer in the Royal Artillery, said he had been 'pleasantly surprised' to hear he had been awarded an MBE.

"It is a superb honour, but a lot of people including my family and branch members have helped me to get it," said Colonel Hill, who was chairman of the West Midlands North Army Cadet Force for 38 years before retiring in 2001.

He is also on the committee of the Staffordshire branch of soldiers' charity ABF and served on the West Midlands Youth Developemnt Panel. Flying the flag for community workers is Irene Ellis, of St Stephens Road, West Bromwich, who has been given an MBE for services to the community in Smethwick.

The 55-year-old grandmother-of-one became a member of the Albion Tenants and Residents Association 14 years ago and was involved in forming a youth club on the Albion estate and launching an All Nations Steel Band for youngsters. She helped to secure funding for the steel pans and musical training and they played at community events.

Ms Ellis was also involved in overseeing a £4m housing refurbishment programme on the Albion estate and managed to secure a base where people could get advice on benefits, attend clubs and take part in youth club activities. She has also been chairwoman of the North Smethwick Development Board Trust for the past several years which has helped to organise after school clubs and various courses. She also served as a board member on Sandwell Children's Fund for around three years after joining a decade ago. The board discussed problems such as anti-social behaviour and applied for grants to help secure better facilities for children in the community.

Ms Ellis said: "I was in a state of shock when I found out. I can't stop smiling. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me."

Kevin Lee retired from his duties with Staffordshire Police after 34 years, but within days he become a volunteer Special Constable.

Now he is being honoured with a British Empire Medal for his dedication to the force.

The 54-year-old father of two joined Staffordshire Police in 1977 and worked as a both a response officer and more lately as a local neighbourhood officer in Cannock and Rugeley before retiring following 34 dedicated years' service.

But he realised he was not ready to leave the police behind – so applied to become a Special Constable and joined the month after his retirement. He also mentors other Special Constables who have benefitted from his knowledge and experience of community policing.

Mr Lee, who now lives in Stafford, said: "It is a privilege to receive this honour. I'm stunned. I feel I have made a contribution to creating a stronger community over the years and I am grateful for this recognition." After anti-social behaviour had blighted Karen Townsley's community in Willenhall for months, the mother of five decided it was time to take action.

Some neighbours in Fairlawn Way, New Invention had become afraid to go outside as gangs congregated each night. So she set up a community committee for residents to raise their concerns with police and MPs. Within weeks, police patrols had been stepped up and the number of incidents had dropped. And her efforts have been recognised with the British Empire Medal. The group, called the Allens Rough Residents Association, acheievements include getting gates installed on grassed areas to stop off-road bikers. Mrs Townsley, aged 41, today said she was 'amazed' to get the honour and insisted the committee was a joint effort.

Philip Sawyer, of Uphampton, Ombersley, has been honoured with a British Empire Medal for charitable services in Worcestershire.

The 81-year-old's long standing commitment of 41 years to the Six Masters' Charities has helped the most vulnerable and elderly and those facing hardship to benefit from educational or medical welfare. He said: "I got the letter out of the blue. I was very surprised and pleased. I've not had anything like this before." All honours recipients are invited to a special investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace later this year, where they will receive their medals.