hillingdon heroes
our heroes Ryan Byrne Ryan Byrne, 31, was in the infantry for four years before coming out in 2006. He did two tours in Afghanistan of six months each. “A roadside bomb killed my friend and injured me – I have shrapnel in my leg. My family had always been in the army so it was what I wanted to do and when I was aged 16 and nine months I joined-up.” Since leaving the army Ryan has also suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and suffers from flash backs. “It’s hard, sometimes I can’t leave the house and sometimes I don’t sleep. I wish I was still
Arthur Preston Burma Star veteran and Hayes resident Arthur Preston, 91, joined the RAF in 1937 when he was just 17. “I was in India before the Second World War and then our Squadron started in Burma. It was terrible for the army – for everyone. I was in Burma when the Japanese over ran it. “Life was quite hard just after the war - I still have one of my ration books. I think it’s important that we have events like this to remind people of what happened and why we have still got our way of life. We see these coffins coming back from Afghanistan and we need to remember our history so we can learn from our mistakes. “I think Hillingdon should really be congratulated for their efforts.”
hillingdon people magazine
September/October 2011
there. It’s hard to explain what it’s like over there. You do shifts of 24 hours on, 24 hours off and the work involves patrols, night watch and generally keeping an eye on what’s going on. It’s a great community – you’re always together.” Ryan took part in the Royal British Legion 27 mile library walk in June. He said: “I was volunteered for the walk and that’s how I met some of the councillors – they were really good with me and helped me through it. “It’s good to know about the armed forces and the work they are doing but it also helps the service people to know they are supported and to see that support being shown.”
Remembrance Day events in Hillingdon
To mark Remembrance Day on 11 November, events will be held across the borough, both on Remembrance Day itself and on Remembrance Sunday (13 November). The council will be observing the two minutes’ silence at a special ceremony on the Civic Centre forecourt at 11am on Friday 11 November, attended by the Mayor of Hillingdon and Leader of the Council. The start and finish of the silence will be signalled by the firing of maroon rockets across the borough. At the time Hillingdon People went to print, timings for other services were being confirmed; please visit the council website at www.hillingdon.gov.uk for more information nearer the time.
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