The Grapevine: Tommy Trotter and your stories

TOMMY TROTTER

An amazing Tommy community initiative was brought to our attention by Tommy Club Champion, Neil Taff Barritt.

Back in February this year Royal Fusilier and D-Day veteran, Tommy Trotter, was facing the prospect of celebrating his 100th birthday alone in lockdown.

Tommy’s friend and bar owner, Julia Cooper, had originally organised a big birthday celebration for him, including a regimental guard of honour. When the plans had to be scrapped due to Covid-19 restrictions, Julia put her thinking cap on, to make sure Tommy’s big day did not go by without occasion.

Julia launched a campaign, asking members of the public to send birthday cards to Tommy – and that’s where the Tommy Champions came in.

You sent cards by the sackload The original target of 1000 cards for Tommy Trotter was smashed and he received enough cards to fill the floor in Julia’s bar!

RBLI’s Chief Executive Brigadier Steve Sherry CMG OBE said: “Whilst this pandemic has been incredibly challenging for us all, it has also brought out the very best in us – and that’s no more evident than in Julia’s amazing campaign and the Tommy Club Champions who have offered their support.”

Tommy and Julia’s amazing story featured on both the BBC and ITV – did any of you see it?

Courtesy of the Tommy Club, Tommy received a personalised Tommy for his home and favourite bar as well as honorary Championship.

I’m sure you’ll extend your warm welcome to our newest Champion!

D-Day veteran Tommy Trotter recieved thousands of cards for his lockdown 100th birthday and made headline news after you championed his story. Tommy is now a Tommy Club Champion in his own right!

WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING ON THE GRAPEVINE?

So many Tommy Club Champions that have gone above and beyond over the last six months and we’d love to feature as many of your stories as possible here.

If you’d like to submit a story to the Grapevine, please email it to Tommyclub@rbli.co.uk Keep it snappy and don’t forget to include pictures!

STEPHEN AND DAWN SPREAD JOY WITH TOMMY TEA BOXES

When VE and VJ day celebrations were cancelled last year, we asked Team Tommy to put the kettle on... So many of you supported our first ever a Tommy Tea event, including Stephen and Dawn from Southampton, who used the opportunity to bring joy to their local community and make some lonely people smile.

The couple made and delivered 70 special Tommy Tea afternoon tea boxes to elderly and lonely residents around their local community – many of whom are veterans.

The boxes were packed with finger sandwiches, jam, scones & clotted cream, cake and shortbread – all made by the pair!

To add an extra element of Tommy magic, they also purchased and included a Tommy lapel pin badge in every box.

Each box was hand delivered. Some were bought as gifts or exchanged for a donation, which meant the couple also raised £300. A really fantastic effort! Stephen also set up a Zoom for anyone that wanted to participate, so they could all enjoy their Tommy Tea together.

Stephen and Dawn, you are our heroes!

DON’T MISS OUT... TOMMY TEA RETURNS FOR VE DAY 2021!

Go to our website for details and to sign up. rbli.co.uk/TommyTea

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THOMAS STEWART (ROYAL ARTILLERY)

Submitted by Tom’s nephew, Duncan Stewart, Tommy Step Challenge fundraiser and Tommy Club Champion.

" As well as raising as much money as possible for our brave veterans and their Families, I dedicated taking part in the Tommy Challenge to my late Uncle Tom. I have so many wonderful memories of his stories from the 12 years he served with the Royal Artillery: 19 - Gibralter Battery of 19 Missile Regiment:

He told me about the hilarious tale of Nojmegan Marches in the 1960’s, and how the Americans were incredibly competitive (blazing past everyone), only to be passed some miles down the route, scattered at the side of the road due to exhaustion!

He told me about having to do Guard Duty for Rudolph Hess at Spandau Prison, the Duties at Checkpoint Charlie, and the experiences of his Tours of Northern Ireland.

However my best memories simply were of him as my Uncle Tom. I hope that I’ve done my Uncle and his Family Proud . "