LegionLive

The Legion’s resident daredevils, Jump4Heroes (J4H) were recognised by the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, at an awards ceremony at the MoD in Whitehall on Wednesday.

The  base jumpers were part of the Army Canopy Piloting Team that won the team prize at the Army Sports Award. General Richards said that sport was very important to the Army as there was a direct correlation between sporting execllence and the qualities it brings out and military operational success.

Major Alastair Macartney, team leader of ACPT and J4H, said, ‘It is fantastic to receive this new award, after competing so hard at world level. We jump to support those who support us - through J4H we use our specialist skills to promote the work of the Royal British Legion and look forward to continuing to do this with exciting events in the future.’

In the picture above we have members of the Army Canopy Piloting Team, including J4H - Cpl Deane ‘Smudge’ Smith, Major Alastair Macartney, CGS Gen Sir David Richards, WO1 Spencer Hogg and Cpl Stuart Storey.

The Legion and myself are extremely proud of the Jump4Heroes team, and are delighted that they have been honoured in this way. Well done lads!

I have some exciting news - Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are to help celebrate the 65th  anniversary of VE Day by leading a national service of commemoration.

Taking place on 8th May at the Cenotaph, London, the event marks the official end of hostilities in Europe for the Second World War following the unconditional surrender of German Forces. As you can imagine, VE Day became a day for celebration and jubilation, but it was also a poignant reminder of those who never returned from duty.

The service is to celebrate the achievements of the UK, the Commonwealth and the allies in their victory against fascism, and will also honour the 580,406 UK and Commonwealth Forces and 67,073 UK civilians who lost their lives during the six years of conflict. Also in attendance at the service will be current personnel from the three Armed Forces, and members of the public coming together to pay tribute. The Prince will later meet with VE Day veterans at a Royal British Legion-organised event in Horse Guards Parade.

An understandably thrilled Lt Gen Sir John Kiszely, who is the Legion’s National President, said: “We are extremely grateful that The Prince of Wales was able to join us in Normandy last year for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings. It is entirely appropriate that His Royal Highness returns again this year to meet with some of those veterans who made victory in Europe possible.

Have you ever wondered what a typical working week is like for the medics in Afghanistan?

I am always fascinated to read the real life experiences of those serving. As an ordinary citizen, it is often completely different to how you imagine.

The Sun today featured the diary of Corporal Steph Hodgson who is working as a nurse in Camp Bastion. A few things really stood out for me; the trauma she witnesses on pretty much a daily basis, combined with the fantastic comraderie she has with her colleagues. I think the following except says it all really…

‘I share a pod with nine women. Just because we’re in uniform doesn’t mean we can’t be girlie. We sometimes sit around when off shift and paint nails, put on face packs and gossip about the day.

‘We also had a VIP guest a couple of days ago - Princess Anne. She came into the emergency department and was very nice and chatty. I attempted a curtsy - not easy in clodhopper Army boots.

‘I must remember to put plenty of tissues in my pocket today as we have a vigil at 1630hrs. We are sending home three boys who have paid  the ultimate price for doing their job. Their friends and colleagues read out what they loved, remember and will miss most about each person. I may have been on shift and tried to help save that person. Sometimes what they say makes me laugh but it always makes me cry.

‘0500hrs trauma call. Another Cat A (life-threatening and needs immediate treatment).’

Here’s a great story I came across this morning…

The family of Thomas Swan, a World War I veteran who served in northern France, have been reunited with one his medals - 90 years after he apparently threw it away. Thomas’ family believe that the Private, who served in the Queen’s Regiment, flung the British War Medal from a train shortly after being presented with it in 1921. He had never spoken much of his time in the army, but those who knew him were in no doubt that he had been profoundly affected by his time serving.

The medal was found back in 1999 by Bob Sheppard, a metal detector enthusiast who was combing a field close to a railway line in Surrey. Bob then spent 11 years tracking down Thomas’ family before locating his great granddaughter, Keely McGuinness, and subsequently her father, who is also called Thomas Swan (in the image above). Private Thomas died in 1935 at the age of 55, and for his relations, this piece of family history is invaulable.

Calling all flower and foliage enthusiasts! On May 23rd The National Memorial Arboretum plays host to the Plant Hunter’s Fair, a sweet-smelling event that’ s going to bring together some of the most highly respected nurseries in the country and local growers.

Visitors will have access to rare plants, old varieties and those from National Plant Collections and RHS Medal Winners. There will also be nurserymen and women on-hand to offer you their best tips and pieces of advice. The Arboretum is already a plant lover’s paradise - being based in 150 acres of wooded parkland - but this event is something extra special, so if you’re a fan of the flora and fauna, do come along. Entry is free!

Fellow ladies,

Have you been inspired by our Legion Marathon runners this year? Do you fancy taking on a running challenge, but perhaps not as full on as 26 miles?

The Adidas Women’s 5k Challenge could be the answer! The challenge is a fun run for women of all ages taking place in Hyde Park, London on 5th September. It’s a great opportunity to raise funds for the Legion and, as an added bonus, get bikini fit for the summer!

You can find out more about the run from their website. If you would like to run for the Legion, please contact Claire O’Dowd on 020 3207 2268 or email: codowd@britishlegion.org.uk

Following on from my post yesterday on the National Memorial Arboretum ‘Walk to the Wall’ event; a very generous local business man, James Leavesley, is offering a helicopter ride to the person who raises the most money.

The winner and their guest will have the opportunity to take in spectacular views of the Arboretum and its beautiful surroundings, including Lichfield Cathedral, from the R44 helicopter. Depending on where the winner lives, it may even be possible to fly over their own house!

Remember, if you want to take part in the event you’ll need to register. So for the chance of winning this fantastic prize, visit the National Memorial Arboretum website.

Hi all,

You may have noticed that things have been looking a bit different around LegionLive lately. What with our brand spanking new Homepage (you can’t miss it), various page re-designs and other exciting additions in the pipeline (more on that later), it’s all intended to help make the site easier for you to use and engage with, while ensuring that LegionLive becomes the place for all your Armed Forces and RBL news. Onwards!

I’d love to know what you make of the changes so far, and here’s some more good news: if you are able to spare a minute sending me your feedback, you’ll be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo next month (12th – 15th May). The Tattoo celebrates today’s Forces through music, re-enactments and special displays. It’s well worth a visit, so do head on over to the website to take a look at what’s taking place.

There are two super easy ways to enter this competition: just send me your feedback on LegionLive by direct email (poppy@legionlive.org.uk) or by sending me a private message over on Facebook. Make sure to put ‘Windsor Tattoo Competiton’ in the subject header and I’ll pick a winner at random at the end of next week.

Good luck!

The National Memorial Arboretum is inviting people from across the Midlands and further afield to join local Service Personnel, celebrities and members of the Legion for their first ever ‘Walk to the Wall’ event.

The event is being held to raise awareness and funds in memory of those brave service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

There will be two walks, taking place on 22nd May between 11am and 12pm. A six mile linear walk will start at the Rosliston Forestry Centre, and a gentler four mile circular walk will take place in the grounds of the Arboretum.

Both walks will finish within the striking structure of the Armed Forces Memorial at the heart of the Arboretum. This Memorial is a poignant monument to all who have fallen in the service of their country since the end of the Second World War, bearing nearly 16,000 names on its walls, including those of our Armed Forces recently killed in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can find out more about Walk to the Wall on the National Memorial Arboretum website.

You may remember my blog post back in March about fundraiser Victoria Turner? Well here she is mid marathon, looking great I have to say!

I was sent two brilliant photos from the Marathon on Twitter yesterday, so I thought I’d share them with you!

And did anyone spot Stu Allen? What a great costume, eh!

I’ll hopefully have more photos and some stories to share with you all once the runners are recovered fully.