My late father signed up to join the Royal Artillery in 1939. At the time he was in a reasonably senior position in a London Assurance company but many of his young staff had signed up to fight in the fast approaching war. My dear Father was so proud of these men and women who informed him of their feelings and duty that he left the company and signed up for the Royal Artillery. He immediately married his sweetheart (my future mother) and I heard that he returned 3 short times in 4 years to see her. I understand that on joining he was given the post of taking 300 men and woman soldiers to Burma but sadly before leaving he failed the Army medical on grounds of a possible heart problem.


Many years later he told me he was very disappointed and upset he could not go but he was told to take a small group down to Croydon airport which had been hit by a German Air Raid. He told me later that helping to move the young men and women dead on the ground so, so upsetting and he was almost shaking recalling the work he was told to do. A little later he was sent up to the Orkney and Shetland Isles to continue his work in the Royal Artillery. He spoke to me just that once about his life in 1939 -1945 …… never again. My father later found out that that early medical decision saved his life as every one of those soldiers who left for Burma died.


Every single Armistice Day at 11.00am he stood to attention in his home in front of the TV and did not allow any other sound in his house even on the year of his sad passing in 1979.


Following my Father’s tradition I am very happy to support this incredible VETERAN’S FOUNDATION with total respect for all those who served not only 1939 -1945 but through further conflicts overseas. This country owes so, so much to you all.