Issue No. 13 June 2016
The 'Army Family' Issue
In this issue: ◆
Battle of the Somme
The formation of the Pals Battalions and the remarkable sacrifice made by communities in the bloodiest battle of WWI ◆
Securing the Family
Welsh Guards veteran Stewart Harris on triumphing over adversity ◆
Turn to Starboard
How our work with other military charities helped Steven Price Brown rediscover his zest for life ◆
Army Families Federation
How the specialist roles we fund improve the lives of Army families
Editor’s Letter Welcome to the Army Family issue of FrontLine magazine. The title of this issue was inspired by the extraordinary range of individuals and organisations that we encounter, and support, each year. The term ‘Army family’ is a nod to both the individuals and their families who we help, as well as the far-reaching network of military charities and other organisations to which we provide financial assistance, providing support on our behalf. It is also perhaps a hint at the shifting pattern of need, as the focus on serving soldiers returning from combat zones with injuries decreases, and attention is turned instead to re-establishing, reinforcing and rebuilding the family unit. Some of the areas in which we provide support, such as education, employment, housing and wellbeing, are essential elements of a stable and prosperous future for our soldiers and their families. Despite this shift in focus, day-to-day life at our Charity continues apace: in the last three months alone, I have interviewed Rio Paralympics
hopeful and Invictus Games gold-medallist Micky Yule at his home; visited veterans at the Erskine Care Home on the outskirts of Glasgow – one of Scotland’s leading nursing homes for Armed Forces veterans, to which we give an annual grant; and lined the streets of London to cheer on the multitude of colleagues, volunteers and fundraisers (including my sister!) who ran the Virgin Money London Marathon in support of our Charity. Throughout this issue you will find many more examples of how our support to, and involvement with, the Army family manifests itself. On p.10 we share the remarkable story of Steven Price Brown – a true demonstration of how our support to other charities plays a crucial role in the many stages of recovery of a former soldier. Suffice to say, none of this amazing work would be possible without your generous donations. I wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous second half of 2016, and thank you enormously for all your support.
Tom Cuff-Burnett
Contents 02 National News
09 A Canine Connection
18 Enlist in our Fundraising Army
A round-up of some of the national news highlights
We speak to Tony Read about becoming a Drugs Dog Handler
04 Regional News
10 From Helmand to Helm
From skydives to half-marathons, join up and climb the ranks of our Fundraising Army
A snapshot of activity from our regional offices
Steven Price Brown reveals how sailing has given him new hope
06 The First Battle of the Somme
15 Army Families Federation
Commemorating the Centenary of the Great Battle of WWI
We interview two employees funded by our grants at the AFF
08 Securing the Family
17 Trusts and Corporate Support
Stewart Harris on feeling safe again with the help of our Charity
A glimpse at some of the news from our Corporate, Trusts & Partnerships team
20 Revisited: Dave Watson Dave and his young family look ahead to a bright future
22 Breaking the Cycle We talk to the team of Prison Governors cycling from Winchester to Bilbao for our Charity
24 Interview: David Starkey CBE The acclaimed historian and author on his Army family links
Front Cover: April 1944 - Lance Bombardier Jack Grundy of the Royal Artillery embraces his wife Dorothy and children Randall and Gilda at his home in Irby, Cheshire, at the start of seven days leave. ©IWM (TR 1643)
Chief Executive’s Welcome I would like to reinforce the Editor’s explanation as to why we decided to adopt the ‘Army Family’ as a unifying theme for much of our work over the next 18 months or so. In recent years the focus has quite reasonably been on individual soldiers who have suffered on recent operations, and the part military charities can play in supporting their requirements. In reality, the bedrock of needs addressed by charities like ABF The Soldiers’ Charity will always be much more broadly based, from the youngest Service family to the oldest veteran or widow. Indeed over the last financial year, of the 80,000 or so individuals we have supported in all our various forms, they range in age from a 6-month old infant to a 105-year-old veteran, and span countries from Antigua & Barbuda to Zimbabwe. Standing behind this work is the much wider Army ‘family’ and I am continuously reminded how tightly linked we are with the Army as an institution, with their Regimental and Corps charities and the much wider network of those who care. None of that would be possible
without our generous supporters both in the UK and overseas. This edition of FrontLine again captures the sheer scale and variety of all this help and we are very grateful. Inevitably it can be the bigger, more glamorous, events that capture the headlines, but the foundation remains the smaller events across the country and elsewhere, which not only contribute to our funds but also reinforce this important notion of an Army ‘family’ – working to a common cause. Our Charity has finished the last year in a very strong financial position – and we have gone to great lengths to make sure we always behave in an appropriate fashion, especially important as the charity sector at large rightly receives close scrutiny. We need to be in a good place because the future is inevitably uncertain for our Army, therefore we need to be able to provide support for very many years to come. I remain hugely grateful to all our supporters who allow that to be possible. Martin Rutledge Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
Supporting the Army Family Our Director of Grants & Welfare, Barney Haugh, outlines how your support enables our Charity to provide effective, far-reaching assistance to those in need. A key and unique element of our work is that we package support to particular needs. For example, our support to Army veterans facing housing difficulties spans funding for emergency homeless hostels in especially urgent cases, to longer-stay housing or sheltered accommodation.
This leads on to the provision of employment advice and other support, either direct to the individual or through service providers, to provide a robust long-term solution. We have a clear understanding of need, so can allocate resources accordingly and closely monitor outcomes in partnership with the Army.
Our reach is not confined to the British Isles – we make grants to organisations that deliver support to Army veterans worldwide, such as the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL), ensuring soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, both at home and around the world, are afforded the independence and dignity they deserve.
Some of our recent charitable grants are below:
SkillForce (£15,000) is an education charity employing former Armed Forces personnel as role models to help young people succeed in life. Our Charity has provided a grant to help fund the training of these veterans in behaviour management, safeguarding, coaching and mentoring. This training not only helps transform the lives of young people, but also provides stable employment for those veterans employed by SkillForce, enabling them to continue to provide for their families.
Turn to Starboard (£33,600) uses Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing courses to support veterans using the established therapeutic effects of sailing and the sea. Our Charity has supported 16 WIS Army veterans to attend their Zero to Hero Yacht Master Development Programme, resulting in new opportunities as civilians (read Steven Price Brown’s story on p.10 to learn how Turn to Starboard has helped him).
The Armed Services Advice Project ASAP (£51,500) delivers information, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces community through a Scotland-wide helpline and face-to-face casework in ten regions. The Soldiers’ Charity has supported this project since its launch in 2010, and last year, ASAP were able to help 1,876 Army families with issues such as income, employment and housing. 01
National News Highlights A very special guest for The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch On 7th April, the great and the good of the City of London descended on London’s Guildhall for the 9th annual Lord Mayors’ Big Curry Lunch.
Alongside the usual host of influential City professionals and Livery Company and Ward Club members, a very special Royal Guest of Honour, HRH Prince Harry, attended the event. Two principal sponsors – British American Tobacco and Impressions of China – also lent their support to the Lunch, which raised more than £216,000, making it the most
Clockwise from main image: diners in the Great Hall; Prince Harry shaking hands with Chief Executive Martin Rutledge; Martyn Compton, charity beneficiary, meeting the Royal Guest; Andy Reid, charity ambassador, with two members of the Light Cavalry.
Lieutenant General Andrew Gregory CB announced as the new Chairman of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity We are delighted to announce that Lieutenant General Andrew Gregory has taken over as the Chairman of Trustees from Major General Peter Sheppard, who has been the Chairman since March 2011. Having served in The British Army since 1981, Lieutenant General Gregory is the outgoing Chief of Defence Personnel (CDP). He served in a number of command and staff roles within the Army, including Director General Personnel and Military Secretary. He has undertaken operational tours in 02
Northern Ireland, the Balkans and as Deputy Commander of 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Commenting on Lieutenant General Gregory’s appointment, Brigadier (Retd) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity said: “We want to thank Peter for all his hard work, dedication and steadfast stewardship of our Charity whilst he was our Chairman, and are delighted that Lieutenant General Gregory will be taking on this important role. Our Charity is at the forefront of providing help for those soldiers and veterans who are in need and Lieutenant General Gregory is extremely experienced and well placed to help drive our Charity forward.”
successful Lunch in our history. It has now raised a staggering £1.5 million since its launch in 2007, helping countless soldiers and veterans affected by their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Next year’s 10th anniversary Lunch promises to be a particularly special occasion, so look out for on-sale announcements later this year!
Atlantic duo complete fastest pairs crossing in ‘toughest rowing race on Earth’ Earlier this year, Dan Parsons and Olly Clark were crowned winners of the Concept Pairs Class in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, after completing the 3,000-mile crossing from the Canary Islands to Antigua in 42 days, 17 hours and 59 minutes. They arrived in English Harbour, Antigua, at 23:23hrs
Charity performs exceptionally in 2015 Third Sector Charity Brand Index In the latest Third Sector Charity Brand Index (CBI) report, which gauges public opinion of the charity sector based on a survey of more than 4,000 people across the UK, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity was
on 31st January local time, where family, friends and supporters welcomed them. Described by organisers, Atlantic Campaigns, as ‘the toughest rowing race on Earth’, the pair also managed to raise over £80,000 for their two chosen charities – Prostate Cancer UK and The Soldiers’ Charity. Of their experiences, the two spoke of overcoming 30-40km winds, a night capsize, hallucinations from sleep deprivation and terrible bottom sores, but agreed that ‘coming through with a win made the sweat and tears worthwhile’.
Olly Clark, who is a serving Captain in the Royal Engineers, said: “During our darkest times, we maintained morale by reading messages from our family and friends. We could not have completed this challenge without the constant support we’ve received – from our sponsors and friends before the challenge started and while we were in the middle of the Atlantic – we are forever in your debt.” Huge congratulations to both Olly and Dan from all at the Charity; a monumental effort indeed.
named as the number one charity for delivering on its promise – to support soldiers, veterans and their immediate families – out of the top 154 charities in the UK. Thanks to the incredible support we receive from you, our supporters, our Charity was also named as the charity with the 3rd fastest growing income in the UK, and was placed in the top 10 for charities that uses its money well,
further reinforcing the trust shown by the public. Brigadier (Retd) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, commented: “We work hard to ensure that those who support our Charity financially are rewarded with trust in us delivering on what we promise to do. The results from the report speak volumes for this hard work and the generosity of our supporters. We are extremely proud to be the leading UK charity for this.”
We are ABF The Soldiers’ Charity The Army’s National Charity We work with every Regiment & Corps of the British Army. Last year we spent some £7.7million on delivering grants to over 5,000 soldiers, veterans and their immediate families. In addition we provided funding to 72 charities which deliver specialist support on our collective behalf. To donate or to find out more about our Charity visit www.soldierscharity.org ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (SCO39189). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609). Registered Office: Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street London SW1W 9RB Tel: 020 7901 8900, Email: fundraising@soldierscharity.org
facebook.com/soldierscharity
twitter.com/soldierscharity
The Army’s National Charity We are here for every soldier, veteran and their family – for life
#saluteoursoldiers Join James Blunt in saluting our soldiers @soldierscharity Find out more at www.soldierscharity.org
Some examples of the strong visual imagery and the use of well-known public personalities in our Charity’s marketing materials over the past 12 months to reinforce our mission and core values. 03
Regional News: Some examples of what we have been up to Fundraisers Take on Born Survivor For the third year running, intrepid fundraisers in the North West took on Born Survivor. Branded the “Ultimate Military Obstacle Course”, the event, which had over 2,500 entrants, follows a 10km course with 30 tough obstacles to overcome. Despite freezing cold water and deep mud, a team of more than 40 fundraisers took part and raised over £8,000 for our Charity.
The next event will be at Capesthorne Hall on 24 September 2016. For more info email northwest@
soldierscharity.org
Wiltshire Committee receives £2,000 donation from Redrow On 8th April, our Wiltshire Committee held a splendid evening of entertainment 04
with a ‘Last Night at the Proms’ concert from the internationally renowned Locrian Ensemble, at Sarum Academy Performance Hall in Salisbury. During the evening, Lt Col (Retd) Tony Blanch, our Wiltshire County Chairman, was presented with a cheque for £2,000,
donated to our Charity by Redrow; a construction company who are building a new Veterans Retirement village in nearby Wilton. We are hugely grateful for their generous support and look forward to seeing the completion of the works in 2017.
100 Peaks Challenge launches! The 100 Peaks Challenge was launched in May to mark a year until the team sets off on their epic adventure. Karl Rushen will be leading the expedition in memory of his brother Lloydy, who died in action in 2011, in Afghanistan. The team will be aiming to summit 100 peaks throughout the British Isles over a 25-day period between May and June 2017, and are hoping to raise £50,000 for both our Charity and Support Our Paras. The launch was a taste of things to come, as one of the team members, Mr Barrie Williams, attempted to set a new world record for distance travelled on a rowing machine over a 24-hour period.
Karl (right) with his brother Lloydy, who was killed in action in 2011 in Afghanistan.
For more information or to contribute towards their fundraising target, visit soldierscharity.org/
100peakschallenge
Former Soldier is a knockout fundraiser Matt Ball, a former soldier in the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment, recently stepped into the ring to raise money for The Soldiers’ Charity. In February, Matt entered his first white-collar boxing event and, with sponsorship from friends and colleagues, as well as a hugely generous donation of £1,000 from Nexen Petroleum UK, he went on to raise a fantastic £2,700. Unfortunately Matt lost his fight, but the referee described him as ‘having the heart of a lion’ – the epitome of a British soldier. Well done Matt; we are truly grateful.
Ultra Triathlon success for 1 RHA An intrepid team from 1 Royal Horse Artillery successfully completed an Ultra Triathlon at Andover’s Tesco Extra store, over six days in February. The challenge was called Exercise Enduro Spanner and involved the six-man team rowing the English Channel, cycling from Folkestone to John O’Groats, then to Land’s End and back to London, and then running the London Marathon. Due to the amazing generosity of the shoppers of Andover, a staggering £12,401.12 was raised for our Charity. 1 RHA went on to win the coveted Carrington Drum, our annual fundraising challenge for serving Army Units. 05
FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
The First Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest of World War One. Fought on a front 15 miles long, there were over one million dead and wounded on all sides at the end. As we approach the 100th anniversary of its commencement, we look back at the creation of the Pals Battalions and the extraordinary courage and commitment of those young men who signed up to join the fight. by Helen Carter Many myths about the conduct of World War One and the competence of the British Generals have grown up around the First Battle of the Somme. Not least because of the high number of British casualties on the first day of the offensive. The British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 killed, compared to the French, who joined the attack on the right flank, with 1,590 casualties. The toll was high on the German’s side too; they suffered 10,00012,000 dead. The impact on the British New Army ‘Pals’ battalions further illustrates the starkness of the British casualty roll. The rush of civilian volunteers in 1914 had resulted in many communities raising battalions of friends, neighbours and work-mates to serve together. Many of these Service battalions adopted unofficial titles such as the Leeds Pals, the Sportsman’s
Battalion, the Grimsby Chums and the Accrington Pals. Other regiments were already closely linked to specific regions of the United Kingdom – for example, the South Wales Borderers, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – all quickly drew volunteers to their new battalions. After months of training in the United Kingdom, these all-volunteer Pals battalions were committed to the Somme offensive on 1st July 1916. The result was that many communities in the weeks following the offensive received telegrams reporting the deaths and injury of loved-ones. Entire streets were reported to have gone into mourning as news of the mass casualties was delivered to soldiers’ next of kin. The British battalion to take the most casualties on the 1st July 1916 was the 10th (Service) Battalion, the
All images © IWM
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West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales’ Own) Regiment – 22 of 30 officers and 688 of 977 men became casualties. The impact was the same for many of the British Empire units committed to the Battle. Most notably was the sacrifice of the Newfoundland Regiment, who lost all but 110 of the 780 men who went ‘over the top’. Only 68 were fit to answer the roll call the following day. The daily casualty rate over the following months never matched that of 1st July 1916 – the final casualty ‘bill’ for British and Empire forces during the Somme Offensive was 419,654, of whom 95,675 men were killed. Indeed only 53 parishes in England and Wales, and none in Scotland or Ireland, were able to claim that they had lost no men or women in the war – these parishes became known as the Thankful Villages. Yet despite the horrific casualty rate – a consequence of industrial war
between evenly matched combatants – the Somme Offensive was no failure. On the first day in the southern portion of the battlefield, significant gains were made when compared to the offensives of the previous two years. The offensive achieved its immediate aim of diverting the Germans from their assault on the hard-pressed French defence at Verdun. During the following months of the battle the Allies developed and improved tactics and weapons – use of the machine gun, infantry section and platoon tactics, improved artillery, munitions and tactics, the introduction of the tank, air power, and the development of combined-arms warfare – that would shape modern warfare through the Second World War and beyond. General Ludendorff described the first day of the Somme as ‘… the black day of the German Army’. By November
1916, the Germans were forced back five miles and were facing serious manpower shortages. The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was, in many ways, mirrored by the El Alamein Offensive in 1942, a battle that Winston Churchill characterised as ‘… this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.’ The Somme Battle was one of the great Allied offensives that set the conditions for the final Allied 100 Days offensive in 1918 that defeated Germany. Ultimately, however, it is the legacy of the dead and wounded – their sacrifice and the impact on those at home – that should be remembered. This is an enduring theme regardless of the nature of warfare or the scale of the conflict: each casualty is an individual, and long after the ceasefire many need the support that is provided by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. 07
FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
Stewart Harris Former infantryman Stewart Harris served with 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards. Whilst on tour in Afghanistan in 2012, a roadside bomb hurled Stewart’s vehicle into a ditch leaving him with brain damage; the impact of which has left him partially sighted and partially deaf. The same year he also witnessed three of his comrades shot dead by an Afghan policeman. Stewart was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder before leaving the Army at the age of 28: the culmination of more than 10 years’ service.
During his transition from the Army to Civvy Street, whilst struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis, Stewart would experience further upset. In 2014 a burglary took place at Stewart’s home in Rhyl, north Wales, which he shares with his wife, Rhian, and their two young daughters. The thieves took off with the family’s car, amongst other household items, as well as Stewart’s glasses upon which he relies heavily since sustaining his injuries on tour. The impact of the burglary meant that Stewart was too afraid to leave his house in fear of a repeat experience. His sleeping was affected and he became too afraid to take his prescribed medications for fear they would affect his alertness. Slowly he began to return to the dark, early days of his diagnosis. He says of the experience:
“Being burgled is a horrible feeling… when someone enters your house without you even knowing, where your children sleep… it haunted me for a long time... I took a massive step back [in my recovery]”. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity stepped in to help Stewart and his family during this upsetting time, and provided a grant towards the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras at the family home; assistance that was granted rapidly and without fuss. “To ask for help and then to be told ‘yes that’s going to be fine’ is absolutely amazing… the weight of the world was taken off my shoulders”. With these security measures in place, Stewart and his family were able to relax and get back into a
routine, allowing him to continue to pursue a number of activities such as golf, a sport he particularly enjoys. Stewart was also able to channel his love of a challenge and being part of a team by fundraising and becoming an ambassador for various Service charities (including our Charity), which, he says has given him ‘so much drive and focus’. It is a fitting testament to his commitment to being a role model that Stewart has been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen for his services. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and The Three Peaks, and has been instrumental in introducing a new scheme within his local community: introducing free swimming sessions for veterans at five council-owned pools in Denbighshire.
“To ask for help and then to be told ‘yes that’s going to be fine’ is absolutely amazing”
By making a donation you can help us to support veterans like Stewart, and their families, in their time of need. Please visit
soldierscharity.org/donate
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Tony Read Tony Read, a former Lance Corporal with 4th Battalion The Rifles, is now looking ahead to a promising future after your donations enabled us to help fund the course fees for him to qualify as a Drugs Dog Handler, alleviating the financial pressure on his family to support him in his post-Army career. We caught up with Tony to find out where his love for working with dogs started, and how his training was going. While serving on Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan, Tony worked with an explosives dog called Cracker. In the absence of Cracker’s handler, Tony and the lads from his unit assumed responsibility for performing sweeps on vehicles and personnel as they were coming in to the Patrol Base. It was this encounter that captured Tony’s enthusiasm for professional dog work and inspired his post-Army career path. Speaking of his transition from the Army into a civilian career, Tony said: “Leaving the Army is a big step because it’s all you know. It’s security: you know you’re getting paid at the end of the month; you know who your friends are and where you’re going”. Thanks to your donations, our Charity was able to pay the costs for Tony to attend a General Purpose Dog Handler course. The course provided him with the foundation to switch to a new civilian career as a fully-qualified drugs dog handler; a vocation suited to his obvious love of dogs. The course has positively benefitted Tony’s prospects for future employment. He is very grateful to our Charity for the assistance we provided and explained that our support meant he didn’t have to resort to financial help from his family or friends, taking the pressure off them as well as providing them with peace of mind that was on the path to a stable future: “The Soldiers’ Charity’s input towards the monetary funds has pushed me into a world of being self-employed... You guys helped me to be able to get on with my life after service”.
By making a donation you can help a veteran like Tony make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Visit
soldierscharity.org/donate
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FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
Turn to Starboard – Steven Price Brown Steven joined the Army Reserves at the age of 40, embarking upon a short but intense military career. After experiencing psychological trauma as a result of his tour of Afghanistan in 2012, Steven fled to Kenya to try to escape the memories that haunted him. However, once it became clear that he needed help, friends clubbed together to fly him back to the UK, where he has been recovering ever since. We caught up with him to talk about his journey back to what he calls ‘the real world’, and how he has been given a new lease of life aboard the decks of an old sailing vessel. Steven’s tour of Helmand Province in 2012 was the start of what would turn out to be a life-changing episode for him. As ‘Advanced Team Medic’, attached to The Grenadier Guards, Steven was responsible for providing direct medical attention to members of his platoon; many of whom were seriously injured during the tour. The impact of seeing a number of his friends being injured or killed in action meant that Steven’s goal was to get as far away as possible after leaving the Army. He moved to Kenya, where he started working as a Mountain Guide, but it was here that his mental health started to deteriorate.
Charity silently had a hand on my shoulder…” The Soldiers’ Charity met with Steven in Falmouth Marina where he is undertaking a ‘Zero to Hero’ Yachtmaster’s programme with Turn to Starboard; a military charity that supports serving and retired Armed Forces personnel and their families who have been affected by military operations. The Soldiers’ Charity part funded 16 places for Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) Army veterans to take part in the programme.
Upon his return to the UK, Steven sought help from several Service charities, including Combat Stress, Veterans Aid and, later, Turn to Starboard; organisations which he credits with giving him the tools to move on from his turbulent postArmy period. Through our annual grants, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has supported all of these charities, thereby assisting with the recovery of Steven and many others.
The end qualification – the Yachtmaster’s certificate – enables participants, some of whom have never sailed before, to gain an internationally recognised qualification in the marine industry. Steven’s enthusiasm for life on board the ‘Spirit of Falmouth’, Turn to Starboard’s flagship vessel, is evident: “It’s given me a purpose… It’s given me the strength to look forward and to maybe just puff my chest out a bit more, stand a little bit taller and to believe in myself… What it’s done psychologically and in regard to my recovery is huge.”
Our grant-giving programme supports up to 100 charities each year, which help to deliver specialist support on our behalf to the wider Army Family; support that Steven acknowledges as being instrumental in his post-Army journey: “Pretty much since the moment that I landed in the UK, ABF The Soldiers’
Turn to Starboard supports individuals like Steven towards gaining qualifications that will help them find new, post-Army careers in the marine industry. However, Steven describes how our Charity has in fact given him, and his fellow crew members, more than just the foundations for a new career. Life on board ‘The Spirit’
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provides them with a common purpose and a safe environment in which they can talk about their experiences: “You’re in a group of people who’ve all had some kind of challenge from the Services and we all understand a certain part of it… ‘Spirit’ has to get from A to B, and we all have to contribute to make that happen. It gives you a sense of self-worth and a chance to get involved.” Steven will embark upon the journey of a lifetime on 1 June 2016. Harnessing the power of the wind, a crew will challenge their minds and bodies to sail 2,000 miles around the coast of Britain, in Turn to Starboard’s Round Britain Challenge. For Steven, this is an opportunity to meet the general public, and to change the perception of veterans suffering from PTSD: “You hear about veterans and PTSD and it’s always kind of dour. This isn’t… we’re upbeat and fun, and we’re able to go back to that person that we always were.”
Follow the journey of Turn to Starboard’s Round Britain voyage at
turntostarboard.co.uk/roundbritain-challenge-2016/ To support the work of The Soldiers’ Charity, visit
soldierscharity.org/donate
“Pretty much since the moment that I landed in the UK, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity silently had a hand on my shoulder…”
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FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
The Big Picture Troops of the Gordon Highlanders regiment on the Albert-Bapaume road near Ovillers, July 1916. Note the German prisoner being transported on a wheeled stretcher. The Soldiers’ Charity was founded in 1944 to ensure that the hardships faced by soldiers in the aftermath of WWI were not repeated. We are still providing support today for some veterans of WWII, as well as all those from every conflict since. We are here for soldiers, for life. ©IWM (Q818)
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a b f t h e s o l d i e r s’ c h a r i t y & h a c p r e s e n t
The City Invitational Cup 14th September 2016 Honourable Artillery Company City Road, London, e c 1 y 2 b q Join English cricket legends Matthew Hoggard and Mark Ramprakash at a special Twenty20 cricket match and Gala Dinner. Proceeds will go to the HAC1537 – a partnership between the Honourable Artillery Company and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Spectator tickets, playing places and Corporate Hospitality packages are available. For more information visit soldierscharity.org/citycup or contact Bernie Critchley on bcritchley@soldierscharity.org or 020 7811 3201
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Support to our Army Families As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Army families, we fund two specialist roles at the Army Families Federation (AFF). These specialists delve deeper into the issues and build connections with other organisations to improve the lives of Army families everywhere.
Karen’s story
Laura’s story
AFF Health & Additional Needs Specialist Karen Ross tells The Soldiers’ Charity that alongside speaking to families, she builds partnerships with decision makers:
Laura Lewin, AFF’s Employment, Training, Allowances & Money Specialist, deals with a range of families’ concerns to ensure military spouses are not disadvantaged because of their soldier’s Service:
How does your role tackle the disadvantages facing Army families? I tackle families’ issues around additional needs
How does your role help to improve Army families’ lives?
– including Special Educational Needs (SEN), military and NHS health and dental care provision, adaptations to Service Families Accommodation (SFA), adoption and fostering and domestic abuse; and comment on MoD and NHS policy. I work hard to ensure families and healthcare professionals know of the Armed Forces Covenant and its commitments – including access to healthcare for mobile families. I offer support to families through advocacy and empowerment, by providing access to appropriate contacts.
How do you work with the NHS and other agencies? I represent the three Families Federations on the Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group; through this link, AFF sits on various NHS England stakeholder groups. I’m currently involved in setting up a Public Patient Participation and Involvement group for serving personnel, family members and veterans, so service-users can feed back to NHS England on commissioning and policy. AFF, together with the other Federations, has also recently written two e-learning sessions for Health Education England on serving and veteran families’ access to health and social care.
What is your key focus for 2016? Keeping up–to-date with global issues and getting relevant information to families by working with the Chain of Command. I’ll continue to support families, looking at the bigger picture and identifying trends to investigate; and share information and successes via the AFF website and social media, and through AFF’s magazine, Army&You.
Contact Karen on additionalneeds@aff.org.uk
My role is diverse; I provide vital support to families, dealing with their enquiries and discovering which trends or new policies affect them. I speak directly with families and AFF co-ordinators when enquiries are escalated. I also work closely with Army and government departments, national charities and agencies to ensure issues are properly addressed. Using my extensive contacts, I give families direction in times of need.
How do you tackle families’ money and allowances concerns? Families usually contact me for clarification. I trawl through MoD documents to find references, confirm details and escalate enquiries using my contacts within the Army’s pay and allowances department, and financial organisations, to find a resolution. AFF receives many enquiries about mortgages and credit ratings; I attend working groups and meetings to discuss these issues, sometimes presenting case studies to show the impact upon the family.
How is employment improving for Army families? This year, AFF is investigating how families are making employment work for them; many people are successfully maintaining employment – we’re keen to discover how. Look out for an AFF survey this autumn... Numerous organisations have signed the Covenant and committed to supporting spousal employment through flexible working or transferring jobs on posting. Training opportunities are also available; initiatives such as RBLI Lifeworks and the University of Wolverhampton’s Unsung Hero project have proved extremely popular.
Contact Laura on etam@aff.org.uk
Find out how AFF can help your family, visit their website www.aff.org.uk 15
Remember our soldiers in your Will By remembering ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in your Will, you can help ensure that those soldiers risking their lives for us today have the support they need to deal with the lasting physical and mental scars of war in the years to come.
Every gift in a Will not only gives a soldier a life to come home to, but a life worth living. To find out more, please contact Richard Hogg on
020 7901 8908 or email fundraising@soldierscharity.org
1616
Image ŠMOD Crown Copyright
Trusts and Corporate Support We continue to be truly humbled by our Trust supporters and their understanding of the complexity and diversity of issues members of our Army family face. Here are just some examples;
The Worshipful Company of Dyers’ Since 2010, The Worshipful Company of Dyers’ has remained a committed supporter of The Soldiers’ Charity. The members of the Livery Company have continued to adapt their funding in line with the changing needs of our Service men and women. From 2011-2014, following a period of increased casualties, the members of the Livery directed support to funding Individual Recovery Plans for some of the most severely Wounded, Injured and Sick soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. More recently, they have donated an exceptional amount of £25,000 towards our work helping elderly veterans, in response to ‘old age’ becoming one of our key drivers for need.
vulnerable and at risk of isolation. The Trustees support will go towards providing Electrically Powered Vehicles and other essential mobility equipment to enable members of the Army family to gain vital access to local amenities and ensure that they retain independence in their own homes.
The support from ECF will help ensure every veteran is afforded the independence, dignity and freedom they deserve. Image Sue Burton PhotographyLtd / Shutterstock.com
challenge later this year in support of our Charity, which will involve a large number of Barclays’ employees. Commenting on David’s efforts, Major General Martin Rutledge, Chief Executive at the Charity, said : “David’s dedication and enthusiasm is an example to us all. What he has achieved in support of our Charity is to be applauded and, on behalf of the Charity and those we help, I thank him most sincerely.”
David Harris at the Charity Staff & Volunteers Awards 2016.
Barclays’ Charity GiveACar partnership ambassador recognised continues its success for outstanding Our Charity has been working in partnership with GiveACar since July contribution Robbie Clark, 97-year-old veteran, who was able to stay in his home after our financial support paid for a live-in carer.
The Evan Cornish Foundation Special thanks must go to the Trustees of The Evan Cornish Foundation, who committed a further £5,000 to help soldiers, veterans and their immediate family members suffering from mobility issues in Lincolnshire. With the Trustees support we have been able to address a specific need sensitive to the locality of the Foundation, helping beneficiaries living in rural areas who have become
David Harris, Deputy Chief Security Officer at our Corporate Partner, Barclays, has been named as the Corporate Sector Charity Champion in the Charity Staff & Volunteers Awards 2016. David is one of our most valued corporate ambassadors and has proven himself to be hugely effective in encouraging both his colleagues and his clients to support our work as well. In 2013, David was instrumental in organising and participating in the epic Cycle 2,000 challenge, a 2,000km cycle ride between the Barclays Premiership stadia, which raised a staggering £260,000. He then went on to complete the infamous Marathon des Sables in 2015, raising more than £20,000 alongside his team-mate Jonathan Moore. He already has plans to undertake another hare-brained
2010 and has so far raised £8,947 in support of our work helping British soldiers, veterans and their immediate families. Based on our average grant amount of £902, these funds could help ensure that at least nine members of the Army family receive the help they need in order to retain the independence, dignity and quality of life they deserve. We would like to say a very big thank you to all at GiveACar and to the donors who have so generously given their old cars for our cause.
17
FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
RUNNING Lace up your running shoes and step up for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Sprint, run, jog or bimble to the finish line but do it for soldiers, veterans and their families.
To find out more information, visit soldierscharity.org/runs
The Fundraising Army is with you every step of the way, with our specialist training plans and incredible support, it’s time to earn your stripes!
Half Marathons 09 Oct 2016
The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon The unmissable Royal Parks Half Marathon is one for the bucket list. Taking in the spectacular sites of the capital and beautiful Royal Parks. Places get snapped up fast so join up now – don’t miss out.
EXTREME A skydive is the ultimate adrenaline rush and a once in a lifetime experience! We’ve teamed up with the world’s finest skydivers, the Red
Skydive dates at Old Sarum 23 June
21 July
Marathons 09 Apr 2017
Brighton Marathon It’s fast, it’s scenic and The Fundraising Army is taking on the Brighton Marathon. What rank will you be showing as you cross the finish line and dive into the sea for a cool down?
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE FUNDRAISING ARMY. DIG DEEP TO SUPPORT SOLDIERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 18
We are on the lookout for new recruits to join the FUNDRAISING ARMY; experience the camaraderie, adrenaline and sense of adventure by taking on one of our ultimate challenges. Do you have the drive to rise through the ranks by raising money to help those who fought and gave so much for us? All recruits in our FUNDRAISING ARMY events start off as a Private and are promoted when fundraising milestones have been achieved. How far will you rise? Outrank your mates – enlist now!
To find out more information, visit soldierscharity.org/extreme
Devils – the Parachute Regiment’s display team – to bring you an exceptional challenge! Do something incredible and freefall from 13,000ft!
Airfield (Salisbury) 11 August
22 September
CYCLING Enlist in the Fundraising Army and jump on your bike. Rise through the ranks as you wheelie your way
To find out more information, visit soldierscharity.org/cycle
across the finish line or pedal in the peloton, be part of this elite fundraising force.
Bike Rides 31 July 2016
Ride London-Surrey 100 A world-class festival of cycling inspired by London’s 2012 Olympic Road Race. The 100-mile Ride London-Surrey route takes you past iconic landmarks, up renowned climbs and through closed roads. An experience to remember.
24 Sept 2016
La Resistance A unique mountain road and gravel event, conceived in honour of the brave men and women of the French Resistance. The route takes on the most spectacular terrain in the Alps with extreme gravel roads and vicious road climbs.
TOGETHER FOR THE SOLDIERS’ CHARITY. 19
FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
Revisited: Dave Watson Formerly of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Dave Watson suffered life-changing injuries when he stood on an IED during his first tour of Afghanistan in 2010. As a result of the explosion he lost both his legs as well as his right arm, and had to be resuscitated whilst being airlifted to safety. However, just seven weeks later, Dave was walking on short prosthetic legs and looking to the future. With the help of two grants from our Charity, the second of which enabled essential adaptations to be made to their home, Dave’s family life has blossomed: he married his partner Becky on New Year’s Eve in 2015, and became a father earlier this year following the birth of his daughter, Erin. We visited them at their home to catch up on all their exciting news…
Dave, to start with, can you describe that moment in 2010 when you were injured? Well I loved my time in Afghan. It’s what I’d always wanted to do. Be in the Army; go out to Afghan; go out to Iraq and all that. But then, one day, 27th May, I stepped on an IED and I lost both my legs and my right arm. I don’t remember much from that day, but I know that if it wasn’t for the lads on the ground when it first happened to me, and the med team that flew me from where it happened back to [Camp] Bastion, I wouldn’t be here now because I died twice: I died at 30,000 feet – they brought me back – so if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be sitting here.
What was it like having to be medically discharged from the Army following your injuries? It was really upsetting. Not just because I was leaving the job – I loved the job – it was because I was leaving the lads. Being in the Scots Guards, being in any regiment, it’s like a family: you’re all there together, you all look after each other – it was just that that I was upset about. But I could understand that they couldn’t keep me in.
Do you have any particular highlights from your time in the Army? To be honest, just being in the military, every day is a highlight; being with the lads, having a laugh. I guess one highlight could be when we went to Balmoral. That’s when I met the Royal Family and I met the Queen; I ended up dancing with her and that was a nice surprise. It’s just… the Army… I think it surprises everyone. Everyone thinks you’re in there so you can’t do anything, but the people you meet, the people you can meet, it’s just amazing. I feel very privileged to have been a part of that.
What difference did the funding from The Soldiers’ Charity make to your life at the time of your injury? It made a lot of difference. At the time I was at my mum and dad’s, which had an upstairs and downstairs. When I was injured, I 20
was going home on leave from Headley Court and I couldn’t get up the stairs all the time because I didn’t have a stair-lift, so I ended up sleeping on a mattress in the living room. The Soldier’s Charity funded a sofa bed for me while the house got adapted so it made a big difference; I could sleep properly instead of just looking like I was squatting in my mum and dad’s house! Since his injury, Dave has been extremely active. He was nominated as one of the Olympic Torch bearers in the build up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London; he moved in to a specially-adapted bungalow thanks to further grants from The Soldiers’ Charity and several other military charities; and he has undergone pioneering osseo-integration surgery in Australia, which enabled him to walk down the aisle last year.
What impact has the new house had on your life and your family unit? It’s made a big impact. Before, the house wasn’t accessible – it was wheelchair accessible outside, but I couldn’t get outside or anything like that. I would have to keep my prosthetics on but they were painful, so if I took them off I’d just be stuck, sat in the chair. Now, because we’ve had a side door put in, I can get in to the bedroom, and we’ve had ramps put in so I can go outside and do what I need to do. It’s made a big difference and I can put Erin on my lap and take her outside, take her to the car and stuff, so it’s made a big difference to everyone.
Tell us more about the pioneering surgery you’ve had done in Australia? It’s changed my life a lot. Before, I could only wear my sockets for an hour a day because they would break my scar tissue down and when I took them off my legs would be bleeding. When I found out about the surgery I researched it for 12 months and thought ‘right I’m going for that’. Now you can’t keep me in the house, I’m away!”
Why did you decide to support The Soldiers’ Charity? I wanted to fundraise for The Soldiers’ Charity because it’s not just the lads from Afghanistan and Iraq who they help. They help the old school lads as well: those World War Two veterans who we look up to. It’s amazing. Dave is now looking forward to spending more time with his young family, and is currently preparing to climb the 3,000 steps of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the largest man-made structure in the world, this summer. Looking to the future, Dave is hoping to compete for a place at next year’s Invictus Games, after narrowly missing out this year.
By making a donation, you can help injured soldiers like Dave forge a promising and fulfilling future. Please visit
soldierscharity.org/donate
It’s made a big difference to my family… I can put Erin on my lap and take her outside… it’s made a big difference to everyone.
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FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
Breaking The Cycle This summer, a group of prison governors will be cycling 1,100km from the UK to Bilbao in Spain, in order to raise money for The Soldiers’ Charity. We caught up with the team and their support crew to find out a bit more about them, why they were supporting our Charity, and how overcoming injury, and ‘mac and cheese’ will be the secrets to their success…
So, tell us, what is your background within the Prison Service? CS
different and this is where it ended up.
who’ve returned. Personally, I think
The first one was a great challenge and
we have a duty as a society to protect
I was very briefly Governor of four
we raised more than £10,000 for the
anyone who’s prepared to put his or her
prisons, but I’m just about to start a new
Charity, so we thought we’d better do it
life on the line, and has suffered the
job as Director of Security and Counter-
again!
consequences of that.
Terrorism for the Prison Service. JS
NH
CS
I’ve been in the Prison Service for nearly
to our work within the Prison Service:
33 years, and was Governor of the three
trying to prevent people offending and
prisons on the Isle of Wight.
re-offending. It also hinted at the fact
How important is the backing of organisations like Asda and The Wellington Centre to this challenge?
I started working in the Prison Service
that we would be spending an awful lot of
CS
more than 24 years ago now and I’ve
time in the saddle for this challenge: we’ll
transport and one of our support team
just moved to the Violence Reduction
have to complete the 1,100km journey in
[sn], which means that we’re able to
Taskforce, which aims to reduce violence
just six days – an average of 183km a day!
camp and keep our costs to an absolute
Cycling started out as a quicker way to
minimum, maximising donations to The
commute to and from work, but as I got
Soldiers’ Charity rather than paying for
within prisons across the piece.
NH
What is your connection to the Army? CS
the trip.
fitter I thought ‘I might as well put this to good’. So when I moved to Lee-on-Solent
father was with the Ox & Bucks Light
and started working with Claudia, with
Wellington Centre and Asda stores in the
Infantry; my grandfather was a Royal
her connections to the Army it seemed
south east of England means we’ve been
Engineer; pretty much all the male
like the right thing to do.
able to reach out to the public and raise a
My son is at the same school as Neil’s, so
significant amount of money.
SN
JS
when Neil mentioned that they wanted
My father was in the Army for 25 years
to do a cycle ride for one of the Forces
(Blackwatch and Royal Electrical &
charities, I put him and Claudia in touch
How are you feeling about the challenge this Summer?!
Mechanical Engineers) and I was in
with Lynn [Hyett, Soldiers’ Charity
CS
the Army for almost six years, with 2nd
Fommunity Fundraiser] and it just took
that’s when we’ll be swinging past my
Battalion The Parachute Regiment. I
off from there really…
mother’s house in France on the promise
1981. I didn’t have much of a connection to the
CS
JS
I haven’t been on the bike for about four months as I dislocated my knee, so I’m
It was probably a combination of the
hoping to catch up on some training in
Army before I started fundraising for The
affinity between those working in the
the next 12 weeks! I should be fine, but
Soldiers’ Charity a few years ago. Lee-on-
Prison Service and Service personnel,
they may have to tow me over the line on
Solent (where Neil now lives) is an area
and my very close personal connections
heavily populated by military families
to the Army.
though, so chatting to the other parents
Day Six! NH
I’m definitely looking forward to it! This
I just think The Soldiers’ Charity is a
year we’ll be able to enjoy it a lot more,
at school gives me an appreciation of
fantastic charity that supports soldiers,
because we know what we’re in for…
Army family life.
ex-soldiers and their families right the
JS
Tell us more about Breaking The Cycle and how you got involved? Claudia was my boss and we just talked it over; we wanted to do something
22
I’m looking forward to Day Three, as
of a big vat of mac and cheese!
How did The Soldiers’ Charity become your charity of choice for fundraising?
Ireland and Aldershot, and came out in
JS
Being able to use places like The
military in one way or another.
joined in 1976, served in Berlin, Northern
NH
It’s absolutely vital: Asda provide us with
My husband is an Army padre and my
members of my family have been in the JS
‘Breaking The Cycle’ was a neat reference
NH
way through. On a personal level of
Details of interviewees:
course, it’s something I’ve had strong
C S Claudia Sturt – Breaking The Cycle team member
attachments to for a long time.
JS
Its tie to families; the way it looks after
N H Neil Howard – Breaking The Cycle team member
those around the men and women
S N Sharon Noble – Community Champion, Asda
James Shanley – Breaking The Cycle team member
www.soldierscharityshop.org With new items being added throughout the year, it is a one-stop shop for all the Army family!
New! The Soldiers’ Charity Garden Range
Fork £10.00
Trowel £7.50
Dibber £15.00
Plant markers / labels £7.50
Secateurs
Twine-in-a-tin
Kneeler
Seed storage envelopes
£25.00
£7.50
£15.00
£7.50
Roses Notelets 10 notelets and envelopes with two images. £6.00
Apple Blossom Notelets 10 notelets and envelopes with two images. £6.00
Chelsea Flower Show Notelets 10 notelets and envelopes with two images. £6.00
Two free gardening booklets with all orders from the Gardening range!
Family Range
Cap badge apron £15.00
Stationery Range
Cap badge coasters £15.00
Cap Badge Tea Towel 100% cotton, made in UK. £7.50
2017 ‘Quarto’ Desk diary Letts. £20.00
2017 Pocket diary Slimline, Letts. £6.00
Coming soon: our 2016 Christmas Cards will be on sale in September! ... and many more items online at www.soldierscharityshop.org Shop online or by phone – 0845 544 2901. Prices exclude postage. Free delivery for orders over £50 Soldiers’ Trading Ltd is a trading subsidiary of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (SCO39189).
23
FrontLine | The ‘Army Family’ Issue
Interview: David Starkey CBE David Starkey is a leading British sell-out historian and prolific author and broadcaster, who was awarded a CBE in 2007 for services to history. In May, David gave a talk exclusively for members of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), in support of the HAC1537 Partnership – a two-year partnership between our Charity and the HAC. We caught up with David just before the event to ask him a few questions about his support for our Charity and his family’s links to the Army.
During his childhood, David recalls there being a noticeably divided opinion when it came to the matter of serving in the military:
However, that did include crashing his Army car in the middle of Pall Mall with a Major in the back, which didn’t go down too well!”
“With my parents coming from a Quaker With the context of this issue in mind, tradition, I grew up learning there we asked David about what the ‘Army was a split in my family on the subject Family’ meant to him: of military service. My father was a “As a historian and having friends pacifist, a conscientious objector, and with an Army background, I have in the Second World War worked in always been struck by the sense of an exempt industry. But his two older the Regiment as a ‘family’; a mutual brothers both volunteered for the Army before the First World War was declared, obligation shared by all ranks, serving and retired. A major part of this long serving in what was the 1st Battalion historical tradition has been the care Manchester Regiment. of veterans after their time of service to Two strapping young lads, they fought their country. This duty of looking after at Gallipoli, one dying aboard a hospital soldiers and sailors dates back centuries ship and buried in Alexandria; the and was very much at the heart of the other severely wounded but surviving 1601 Charitable Uses Act. It enshrined to convalesce in Scotland, with, it the notion of philanthropy with a would seem from the postcards he list of services that the State wished kept, a string of infatuated upper class private individuals to contribute to. At volunteer nurses at his beck and call. the time this was unique in Europe, On my mother’s side, my grandfather where the State and the Church funded lived with us until I was five. He was too these. Honouring those who had old to fight in WWII, but volunteered fallen in battle was a part of this, their as a driver, desperate to do his ‘bit’. 24
heroism perpetuated in marble tombs, inscriptions and so on in great public buildings. The care of those who’d served in the Army or Navy was also an essential element, a tradition that lives on in ABF The Soldiers’ Charity today, and I greatly admire the work the Charity does with serving soldiers and their dependants.” David was interviewed by BBC News presenter Simon McCoy, whose uncle served in the HAC. Their conversation, and questions from the audience, was followed by David signing copies of his latest books, Magna Carta: The True Story Behind the Charter and Henry; Virtuous Prince.
All proceeds from the evening went towards the HAC1537 fund. More details about the partnership can be found at soldierscharity.org/HAC
Dates for your Diary East Anglia
25 Jun Beating Retreat & Concert with the
South West
06 Aug Reservists Rock Pop Concert, Army
Band of Irish Guards, Enniskillen Castle 31 Dec The Soldiers’ Charity Hogmanay Ball, Lorne House, Holywood
14 Oct Autumn Talk, King’s College
Reserves Centre, Colchester 04 Sep ABF The Soldiers' Charity Ride, Stanbridge, Bedfordshire 26 Nov Woodbridge Musical Extravaganza, Woodbridge, Suffolk
East Midlands Market Harborough, Leicestershire 02 Jul Buxton Military Tattoo, Buxton, Derbyshire 26 Aug Beating Retreat & Summer Reception, Northampton
Home Counties
London 22 Jun Support our Soldiers’ London collection day, London
19 Oct Autumn Lecture with William Shawcross, The Rifles Club, London
13 Dec The Army’s Christmas Carol Service, Royal Hospital Chelsea
Northern Ireland
17 Sep Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, North Yorkshire 12 Nov Durham Cathedral Festival of Remembrance, Durham Cathedral
Clandeboye Golf Club, Bangor, Co Down
Powderham Castle
Wales 09 Jul 14 Signal Regiment Open Day, Cawdor Barracks, Pembrokeshire
23-24 Jul Cotswold 24hr Relay Race, Cirencester Park, Bathurst Estate
22 Oct Chepstow Stampede, 5K & 10K
North West
Obstacle Mud Race, Chepstow Racecourse
20 Aug Sky Dive at Flookburgh Airfield, 09 Sep Lord Lieutenant’s Reception & Beat
West
Retreat, Hutton-in-the-Forest 27 Oct East Cheshire Annual Luncheon with Guest Speaker
21 Jul Cheltenham Cricket Festival Lunch, Cheltenham College
27-28 Sep Early, Early Christmas Fair, Tidworth
Scotland 02 Oct Race the Runway, Leuchars Station,
St Andrews 07 Oct Edinburgh Big Curry, Edinburgh
14 Dec Clifton Carol Concert, Clifton College
West Midlands 31 Jul – 06 Aug Wheels on The Western Front
South East 06 Jul Beating Retreat by the Band of the Parachute Regiment, Sutton Valence
22 Jun Summer Golf Tournament,
North East 07 Sep The Yorkshire Grand Prix (Karting),
Grange-over-Sands
08 Jul Summer Ball, Reading Hilton Hotel 18 Sep Warrior Challenge, Portsmouth 10 Dec Christmas Concert, Aldershot
Bath Racecourse
03 Nov Michaelmas Shopping Fair,
Middlesbrough
17 Jun Band Concert, Nevill Holt Hall,
Taunton (speaker TBA)
11 Sep ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Race Day,
22 Aug Day at the Brighton Races, Brighton Racecourse
2016, France
16 Jul Born Survivor, Weston Park, Staffordshire
20 Dec Herefordshire Cathedral Carol Concert, Hereford
23 Sep Golf day, Sittingbourne Golf Club
Our Offices Head Office
Northern Ireland
South West
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Mountbarrow House, 12 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9RB T. 020 7901 8900 E. fundraising@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Bldg 45, Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn BT28 3NP T. 02892 678 112 E. ni@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, Devon EX2 6AR T. 01392 496 412 E. southwest@soldierscharity.org
East Anglia
North East
Wales
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Building PO4, Room 6, Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex CO2 7UT T. 01206 817 105 E. eastanglia@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Hipswell Lodge, Smuts Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire DL9 3AX T. 01748 874 127 E. northeast@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Maindy Barracks, Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3YE T. 02920 726 132 E. wales@soldierscharity.org
East Midlands
North West
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 5HA T. 0115 957 2103 E. eastmidlands@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Fulwood Barracks, Preston PR2 8AA T. 01772 260356 E. northwest@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Bldg 750, Picton Barracks, Bulford Camp, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 9NY T. 01980 672337 E. west@soldierscharity.org
Home Counties
Scotland
West Midlands
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Wellington House, St Omer Barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2BG T. 01252 348 270 E. homecounties@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, The Castle, Edinburgh EH1 2YT T. 0131 310 5132 E. scotland@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Building V5, Venning Barracks, Donnington, Telford, Shropshire TF2 8JT T. 01952 674 323 E. westmidlands@soldierscharity.org
London
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Brompton Barracks, Chatham Kent ME4 4UG T: 01634 822 408 E: southeast@soldierscharity.org
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Wellington Barracks, London SW1E 6HQ T. 020 7414 3321 E. london@soldierscharity.org
South East
West
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (“the/our Charity”) is an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales with Charity No.1146420, and in Scotland with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator with Scottish Charity Register No.SC039189. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609) and was incorporated on 2nd March 2012. Editor
Special Thanks
Design and Art Direction
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
FrontLine Issue No. 13
Tom Cuff-Burnett
Stewart Harris Tony Read Steven Price Brown David Watson
Pete Black Ltd
Registered Office: Mountbarrow House 12 Elizabeth Street London SW1W 9RB T 020 7901 8900 E info@soldierscharity.org
The 'Army Family' Issue, First published 2016 © ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
Contributors Helen Carter Nicci Shayler, AFF
Whilst every effort is made to check the information contained in FrontLine, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.
Our huge thanks go to the organisers of the
Bucket UK-wide Tesco collection, to building a
in 2001 and took over as Chairman in 2004
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, who have
family of runners in the Edinburgh Marathon
– so he has given 15 years of service! The
once again awarded us with a vital grant, which
Festival from scratch, Claire has been a
office accounts only go back to 2007/08, but
will continue to enable us to provide financial
wonderful advocate of our Charity and will be
in the nine years since, Dorset, under his
support to 11 Scottish delivery charities.
much missed. We wish her and Simon all the
chairmanship, had a total income of more
We are extremely grateful to the REMT for
best for the future.
than £450,000, so it may be safe to assume that well over half a million pounds was raised
their continued support, and look forward to working together for many years to come.
Thank you to Rowena Finch, our long-serving
during his tenure.
Corporate Account Manager, who has left our Our sincere thanks to Sir Edward Nall Bt
Charity after more than five years in the role.
We would like to welcome Colonel Chris
(Nottinghamshire) and Lt Col Nick Turner
‘Ro’ was instrumental in developing some of
Sanderson OBE JP as the new Chairman of
TD (Derbyshire) who stood down as Chairmen
our key corporate relationships with the likes
our Cumbria Committee. Chris is recently
of their respective County Committees in
of Barclays and Pandora and, rather fittingly
retired and has now settled in Cumbria.
the New Year. We are very pleased that they
in the context of this issue, has remained
We are also fortunate to welcome Colonel
remain as members of their Committees.
within the military charity family in a new
Phil Harrison, who is currently the Deputy
post at The Royal British Legion. We wish her
Commander of 42 Infantry Brigade and
every success in her new role.
HQ North West and has agreed to be the
Thank you to Claire Heyes after four excellent
Chairman of our Greater Manchester
years in the Edinburgh office, during which her role changed beyond recognition, from a
Thank you to Richard East, our Dorset
Committee. It is great to have both on board
¼-time post to a full time appointment. From
Chairman who is due to step down on 28th
and we are looking forward to some great
helping to raise over £40,000 in the 2011 Big
June. Richard joined the Dorset Committee
fundraising in the future.
April 1944 - Lance Bombardier Jack Grundy of the Royal Artillery bids farewell to his family at Thurstaton railway station, in Wirral, Cheshire, as he sets out to return to his unit. ©IWM (H 37561)