LegionLive

Well done to the Chipperfield branch of The Royal British Legion who have been recognised with an award for their stirling fundraising efforts. They’ve been honoured with the Hertfordshire Blackley Cup, a tribute to World War One soldier Armand Blackley. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that the Chipperfield folk have previously won the annual award in 2001, 2005 and 2008!

Anne Wyburn, a former branch secretary, said: “In November 2008, we put on a show called Chipperfield at War written by John Uft. It proved a resounding success, filling the village hall on both evenings and raising £3,000.” She added that when the show’s funds were pooled with the fruits of door-to-door appeals and church collections, they managed to raise a huge £7,000.

Anne’s husband Giles, who is also the chairman of the Chipperfield branch, said: “I fought in World War Two and became part of the Royal Legion after seeing what a fantastic job they do to support families and injured soldiers. With the fighting that’s going on in Afghanistan and Iraq at the moment, it’s very important to keep the legion going and support them in any way that we can.”

In the picture above you can see Chipperfield at War scriptwriter John Uft,  Blackey Cup presenter Brian Davies from The Royal British Legion and Anne and Giles Wyburd. Don’t they look pleased!

It’s been raining bucket-loads recently, and, I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the look out for the perfect umbrella to keep me dry….

Unfortunately, I’m one of those people who often ends up buying an umbrella in last-minute desperation as soon as the heavens open because  I’ve managed to leave mine at home. These impulsively bought items generally do not make for a very good purchase, turning inside out at the slight wisp of wind and leaving me looking like, well,  a drowned rat!

But, occasionally, I do manage to get it right. Take a look at the above brolly from the  Poppy Shop website. Not only is it subtley stylish, it’s big and study enough to keep me dry and additionally lets everyone know that I’m proud to support The Royal British Legion and our brave Armed Forces. Don’t forget that every purchase made on at the Poppy Shop raises vital funds for the Legion.

Here’s hoping it rains today!

I recently came across an interesting article in The Independent on the ways in which Military leaders choose to name operations.

It explains that the Britsh Armed Forces select operation names randomly from a computer database  which are then vetted by military leaders, whereas the US Forces prefer to choose ideological terms.

For example, the British Military operations in Iraq are named “TELIC”, derived from the Greek word “telikos” or “final”, whereas the NATO led Operation Moshtarak with Afghan Army participation means “together” or “shared”.

The article also points out the importance of choosing the right name for a military operation. It quotes Churchill who wrote that they should not “enable some widow or mother to say their son was killed in an operation called Bunnyhug.”

If you’re interested you can read the full article here.

This made me smile this morning….an army search dog called Treo is to be awarded the Dickin Medal for his life-saving work in Afghanistan. The medal, essentially the animal version of the Victoria Cross, was created by the PDSA to honour gallantry in war, and Treo will be the 63rd furry friend to recieve it. The medal has been awarded before to 26 dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.

Black Labrador Treo was one of 25 dogs  in the Afghanistan supporting British troops on patrol, his work involving searching for arms and explosives; he  twice discovered hidden bombs in Helmand Province. His proud handler, Sgt Dave Heyhoe, said: “It’s very important. We are part and parcel of the search element. We’re not the ultimate answer but we are an aid to search.”  He added that Treo’s work has saved the lives of many soldiers. It was when he was serving as a forward detection dog in Sangin in 2008 that he found two hidden ‘daisy chain’ bombs made from multiple explosives wired together.

Dave added: “Everyone will say that he is just a military working dog - yes, he is, but he is also a very good friend of mine. We look after each other.”

Treo will be presented with his medal by Princess Alexandra at the Imperial War Museum in London. He can then, at eight years old, enjoy his retirement!

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to lend their support to our Armed Forces Family?

Nominate them now on the Friends of the Forces Awards website!

Here’s a video to spur you all on!

I’ve got something pretty exciting to announce this morning…

The Royal British Legion has launched the Friends of the Forces Awards, a national awards scheme that recognises members of the public for supporting members of our Armed Forces in extraordinary and exceptional ways. It’s so important for serving men and women to know that we’re thinking of them and doing our best to safeguard their welfare.

And this is something close to Prince Harry’s heart, a Lieutenant with the Household Cavalry who has served in Afghanistan. His Royal Highness is pledging his full support to the Awards, saying, “The Friends of the Forces Awards recognise the extraordinary, and often unsung, efforts of members of the public to help and support members of our Armed Forces and their families. For those serving in the British Armed Forces, the knowledge that others are thinking of them has a hugely positive effect that cannot be underestimated. I remember that acutely.” Harry added: “These awards are an excellent idea, and I’m very proud to be involved. I encourage you to nominate anyone you know who is worthy of a Friends of the Forces Award.”

Entrants will be chosen from categories that recognise individual, young individual, community group and commercial organisation contributions. Winners will be announced in eight regions covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and those who are lucky enough to be shortlisted will be invited to attend the Royal gala ceremony in London on 13th July.

Here at LegionLive I hear of so many acts of kindness by members of the public in tribute to our British Armed Forces, so do please nominate someone you know or step forward yourself and allow the Legion to say thank you! Head over to the Friends of the Forces website to find out more…

This is one for the diary!

I’ve just heard that the Pype Hayes and Birches Green Branch  will be hosting an evening of entertainment on 8th May in aid of the Military Ward, Selly Oak Hospital.

The evening, to be held at the Forget Me Not Ex-Service Club in Birmingham from 8:30pm, will feature Moonlight Serenade, a Glenn Miller Tribute band. It’ll be impossible not to be foot-tapping your way through the tunes!

If you fancy coming along, admission is £5, and all proceeds will go towards helping our injured heroes at Selly Oak Hospital. For more info on the night, just get in touch with Branch Chairman Gerry Brien by calling 0121 747 9604.

For all those with an interest in genealogy….

Poppy Travel, the specialist travel arm of The Royal British Legion, will be at the Who Do you Think You Are? Live Show on 26th-28th February at London Olympia.

Poppy Travel staff will be on hand at Stand 1131 to answer questions about tracing ancestors who were in the Armed Forces. They offer tours to battlefields, cemeteries and memorials all over the world. 

This year the show’s special guests are Kate Humble, Rory Bremner and Esther Rantzen. It sounds like a very interesting day out! Anyone planing on attending?

It would be great to hear from any of you who have traced your ancestors in the Armed Forces. Who knows, I may even post your story, so do get in touch!

As the end of February is creeps ever nearer, I thought I’d share the activities that have been taking place this month at the Fromelles Military Cemetery in France - the first site built for World War I and II soldiers in 50 years. For on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday this month visitors can watch the raising and lowering of National Flags, and a series of reinternments taking place at four periods of the day - 9am, 10.45am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Each reburial takes the form of a standard military funeral, with hearse, bearer party and padre in attendance.

The site also provides a ‘Contemplation Area’ for those who want to spend some time thinking about the 250 Australian and British soldiers who died in the Battle of Fromelles on 19th July, 1916, and who were recovered from Pheasant Wood, where they were buried by the Germans in six mass graves. Visitors can access more information about the operation and sign a Book of Remembrance. A designated area is also available for the laying of tributes.

Amazingly, in March an identification board will be working to identify as many soldiers as possible by looking at historical, anthropological, archaeological and DNA evidence, meaning that relatives will be able to add inscriptions to headstones which will otherwise be left blank.

Head on over to the Remembering Fromelles website to find out more.

It never fails to amaze me the lengths some kind people will go to in order to raise vital funds for charity. I’ve just heard that this September  sailors from the HMS Raleigh are going to be scaling one of the world’s highest mountains - in order to support The Royal British Legion and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The mountain in question is Kilimanjaro, an amazing landmark that stands at 5,896 metres high and is known as the ‘Roof of Africa.’ The group taking part are a team of 22 who are serving in the Plymouth area, and include PO Craig ‘Chewie’ Hewitt and CPO Ali James, the main organisers of the challenge.

The idea was initially conceived by Craig, an instructor at the Naval Military School who had always wanted to organise a charity event that incorporated some pretty adventurous training. Unfortunately, due to the frequency of being at sea on deployments, he found it difficult to arrange in the past, but thanks to being at HMS Raleigh until the end of the year, it’s an excellent time!

The climb aims to raise awareness of the importance of supporting ex and serving members of the Armed Forces; as Ali James points out, “As a serving person you never know when you or the person standing next to you may need the help of these organisations and that’s why it is important for us all to do our bit.”

The team is hoping their efforts will raise £100,000, an amount which will be split between the two charities. Please do spread the word about this event and support the team online by visiting their fundraising page!