War veteran, prisoner-of-war camp survivor and former Witney town mayor Arthur Titherington has been awarded the Order of Mercy for his distinguished voluntary work.
The award, created in 1899 by a royal charter granted by Queen Victoria, is for his work for the Japanese Labour Camp Survivors' Association.
Mr Titherington, 86, was a prisoner of war for four years after the fall of Singapore in the Second World War.
He survived severe deprivation while many of his colleagues died from malnutrition, disease and physical beatings.
His ordeal led him many years later to head the JLCSA as its chairman, seeking through the courts an apology and compensation from the Japanese.
He eventually secured compensation payments for survivors and widows from the British Government.
Mr Titherington, of Church Green, Witney, was presented with the award at a reception at The Mansion House, London, on Wednesday.
He said: "It is an award I am honoured to receive."
It was bestowed by the League of Mercy which recognises, among other things, voluntary work for the sick, injured or disabled.
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