Kenneth Mears joined the Royal Armoured Corps in 1942 and, following officer training at Sandhurst, was a Troop Leader in the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. Following D-Day, he took part in the campaigns through France and into German.

After the war he transferred into the 10th Hussars before finally joining the Intelligence Corps in 1957 as one of the ‘First 100’ Regular Officers. He rose to become the first ever Inspector of the Intelligence Corps and Commandant of the Intelligence Centre in the rank of Brigadier.

Brigadier Kenneth J Mears CBE died in 2019. His medals are, from left to right; Commander of the British Empire (CBE), 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, General Service Medal (GSM) 1918-62 with Cyprus Clasp, GSM 1962-2007 with Malay Peninsula and Northern Ireland Clasps and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal.