Doncaster village 'legend' and secret war hero honoured at his own local

But what many, including relatives, did not know, was the man who was a well known fixture in his local Doncaster pub and who died early in lockdown, was a secret war hero.

Now he is to be honoured with a plaque in his memory at his local.

The 77-year-old was a regular at the Red Lion in Askern, and frequently seen on his bike, or latterly, his mobility scooter in the town.

Residents say he was a well loved figure. When he was burgled in 2017 by three men who entered his flat in Campsall and took his pension and disability money, worried residents rallied round and gave him money, meals, and clothes.

Nephew Andy Hudson only discovered his uncle Lionel’s military past after he died in March.

Andy said: “When he died, I found out he was in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from 1960 until 1968 – he served in Malaya. Since he passed away I found out he was very active and was shot at quite a few times. I think it affected him.

“After leaving the army, he worked at the local pit site, worked at Askern Woodyard, and later became know as Askern’s resident drinker at the pub.

“He would befriend everyone and a lot of people in Askern had a lot of respect for him

“He was awarded three medals, meeting the Queen Mother. In my eyes now he is more than an uncle and more than that person who some people laughed at.

“He is a hero, someone who stood up for his Queen and country and fought in conflicts to give people like us the life we have today.”

With funerals limited by lockdown, friends decided he should have a plaque at the Red Lion.

They set up a website to raise money for a memorial on https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rememberingLionel. Any money left over will go to McMillan Nurses.

Pals Sheila Seymour and Terry Brennan, who set up the appeal, said it would be a shame him not to be remembered, and described him as an ‘Askern legend”.