• 10.00am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London
  • 10.00am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London

Michael O’Connor, Deputy Director of the National Army Museum, receives OBE for services to military heritage

Mike O'Connor introducing Her Majesty The Queen to National Army Museum staff, 2017
The National Army Museum is pleased to announce that Michael O’Connor, Deputy Director, is awarded an OBE in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours 2019 for services to military heritage.

Michael O’Connor was instrumental in the leadership of a Heritage Lottery Fund four-year renovation project which saw the Museum re-opened by Her Majesty The Queen in March 2017. The extensive work overseen by O’Connor brings a new level of excellence to the infrastructure for the storage and display of the British Army’s archives and artefacts, enabling an imaginative and interactive way of engaging audiences with one of the nation’s most powerful historical collections.

Having served in the Royal Engineers for over 23 years, O’Connor joined the National Army Museum in 2002. He is recognised for his excellent project management, tireless energy and loyal service.

The Museum’s Director, Justin Maciejewski, says:

'The whole team at the National Army Museum are absolutely thrilled that Michael O’Connor has been honoured with an OBE for his utterly selfless leadership, his passion and his total commitment to the Museum and its mission to tell the story of our Army and the soldiers who have served in it. This significant honour is richly deserved and we are all so proud of him.'

Michael O’Connor accepts this tremendous accolade saying:

'I’m delighted to have received this for the major work involved in the transformation of the Museum, its first in almost 40 years. However, I also accept it on behalf of the entire staff at the National Army Museum for their profound knowledge, total dedication and invaluable contribution over the years.'

Notes to editors

  • Entrance to the museum is free, with varying prices for special exhibitions
  • Opening hours: Daily 10am – 5.30pm (until 8pm first Wednesday each month); Closed on 25, 26 December and 1 January.
For more information:

Claire Blackshaw, PR & Communications Manager | cblackshaw@nam.ac.uk | 020 7881 2433
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT

About the National Army Museum

The National Army Museum is the leading authority on the history of Our Army. Founded in 1960 by Royal Charter and established for the purpose of collecting, preserving and exhibiting objects and records relating to the Land Forces of the British Crown, it is a museum that moves, inspires, challenges, educates and entertains.

The Museum seeks to tell the story of Our Army, the personal experiences of the soldiers who have served in it and to connect the British public and its army, demonstrating how the role of Our Army and its actions are still relevant today. 

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