REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
THE SOCIAL CARE SECTOR COMMEMORATES
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Care Home Residents Across the South Play Their Part in Acts of Remembrance
Residents
One-hundred-year-old World War Two veteran Boyd Salmon was invited by the Royal British Legion to cut the ribbon on the poppy display at Lymington War Memorial
A resident at Court Lodge in Lymington for the past four years the former Royal Navy officer was the honorary guest at the occasion and rose from his wheelchair confidently to perform the task
Boyd who was badly injured clearing enemy mines from a beach in The Netherlands in 1945, is well known in the Lymington community
He has a certificate of appreciation and a lifetime membership of the Royal Naval Association and was invited to join Lymington s official D-Day 80th anniversary parade in June 2024 Court Lodge Home Manager Rebecca Hannam, who accompanied Boyd to the Remembrance memorial said: He wore his medals with pride as he cut the ribbon ”
Similarly ex-service personnel living at Brook View in West Moors took part in a community Remembrance parade in the Dorset town
Veteran JoJo Cook laid a wreath for her RAF Squadron and David Vincent who served in the Royal Navy carried a wreath on behalf of all at Brook view
The home was one of many across Colten Care to display poppy installations carefully made by residents One lady, Gwen Carter, knitted all year and contributed a sizeable number to the home s total of 300 poppies
Companionship Team member Rebecca Grimsey said: We staged the poppies at the entrance of Brook View for all to see and finished it off with a poppy-covered soldier with his head in his hands
Residents from Fernhill, a dedicated dementia care home, joined Remembrance events in Ferndown
Among those on parade duty for the launch of the poppy appeal
were three residents with service histories: Elisabeth Wilson June Welford and Ron Howes
The event held at the Dorset town s Barrington Centre and organised by Ferndown Town Council and the Royal British Legion gave them the opportunity to speak with air cadets and Scouts, the Mayor of Ferndown, Terry Cordery, and the Deputy Lieutenant Liz Williamson
Ron, who served in the RAF, was presented with a poppy by a young air cadet Jackson Heath
Ron told carers afterwards: That was tremendous and I
Militar y Band Musician Reflects On Memories
Of Remembrance Day Performances
Local Children Join Thorn Springs Care Home in Honour of Remembrance Day
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Orford House Residents Remember And Honour Those Who Ser ved
At Orford House the Coulsdon-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly the residents members of the local community and care team have held an Armistice Day service and two minutes silence to remember all fallen Commonwealth soldiers of the First World War
Held beside the care home s newly positioned Tommy Soldier Memorial the service was conducted by Michelle Kennett the care home’s Registered Manager Talking about the Tommy Soldier Memorial Michelle said: “I wanted to do something that not only commemorated the lives that were lost during the First World War but also to show our thanks and support to the many veterans who served our country So rather than buying a statue from a company, I searched the internet and found the iconic statue memorial figures made by British Legion veterans
Whilst researching the memorial statue Michelle discovered many fascinating facts relating to why the instantly recognisable figure is known as Tommy Whilst I was speaking with the British Legion veterans who created our statue, we talked about the Great War in detail I was told that the term Tommies is closely associated with British soldiers who served during the First World War as “Tommy” is slang for a soldier who served in the British Army
In fact legend says that in the World War I trenches enemy troops would shout out ‘Tommy’ across the infamous No Man’s Land when they were looking to speak with a British soldier continued Michelle Residents laid wreaths at the Orford House Tommy Soldier Memorial and at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, residents, care team and members from the care home s local community gathered at the Tommy Soldier Memorial and held a two-minute silence and honoured all those who gave so much Along with their own thoughts they remembered The Armistice the agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, which began at 11 a m on 11th November 1918
Our Tommy Soldier Memorial is located on the lawn on the roundabout in front of Orford House’s main doors It is an ideal spot for Tommy as the residents can see him when they look out of the windows of the dining room and lounge ” added Michelle It was an emotional and poignant service which everyone who attended found very touching By sourcing and purchasing our Tommy Soldier from the British Legion veterans, I felt we were doing our bit to support all those that had defended our country and now
a
by creating statues figures and sculptures to celebrate our lads and lasses who have passed concluded Michelle
A Hero’s Honour: Braywood Gardens
Celebrates
Remembrance with Veteran Resident
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Orchard Care Homes Celebrates The War
Heroes Who Played Their Part On Home Soil
Residents At Dorset Care Home Attend Local
Festival Of Remembrance Concert
Ringwood Pipe Band joining the band for the final few pieces which nearly raised the roof off the church!
A fantastic evening and was enjoyed by everyone in the audience
General Manager Gemma Chalkley said “Our residents had a wonderful evening listening to the beautiful music and also being able to pay their respects We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Moors Manor as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents and this was one of our favourites!”
One resident said “I haven’t heard the Glen Miller songs in many years The classics never go out of style!”
Residents at Austen House Commemorate Remembrance Day
Residents at Austen House in Lower Earley Reading commemorated Remembrance Day on Sunday 10
November They joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at 11am
As well as marking Remembrance Day by wearing poppies and watching the televised service from The Cenotaph, residents took part in therapeutic activities such as colouring Poppies and created beautiful display
Michael, a resident at Austen House, said “It is very important that we keep the memories of those who fought alive and that we also think about those involved in conflicts around the world today ” Emmanuel one of our residents who served for 22
years in British Army felt proud to wear the numerous medals which were awarded to him during the services He was sharing the experience to be first officer of colour in Blues and Royals and set the path for others too Emmanuel fought in United Nation Germany Singapore Cyprus Malaya and Kenya also he saved many lives and helped to re-build the Communities Arturas Repkovas General Manager at Austen House said: We have many residents with personal ties to the military and many who have experienced conflict either at home or abroad so it was important to us to mark Remembrance Day and honour the contribution of everyone involved in the World Wars and in subsequent conflicts ”
Resident Shares Her Connections with WWII
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Devon Care Home Resident Shares Inspiring Stor y For Remembrance Day
A resident at HC-One’s Gittisham Hill House Care Home in Honiton Devon shared his endeavours of serving in the military ahead of this year s Remembrance Day
Hugh Grout 93 better known as Keith who served in the Royal Navy back in the late 40s Keith subsequently received an MBE award from King Charles for his services
Serving on HMS Corunna for over two years, Keith’s illustrious career saw him travel the world and rising the ranks
Keith Grout HC-One s Gittisham Hill House Care Home resident said
“I was on HMS Corunna for over two years I started working as an ordinary seaman before I left as a Leading Seaman with six months seniority
“I subsequently joined the destroyer warship, where I was taken off general duties and became a member of the gunner s party I was responsible for the ‘B turret, where I maintained the outside and ensured the inside was clean and ready for inspections
In 1971 Keith received an invitation to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace This led the late Queen Elizabeth II to announce that the British Legion would soon be known as the Royal British Legion
In 2002, Keith was sent a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office informing him that he had been awarded an MBE for his services to the Royal British Legion in Devon
Keith attended Buckingham Palace for a second time to receive his MBE award accompanied by his wife Lilian and his two children Janice and Andrew Keith has lived at HC-One s Gittisham Hill House Care Home for two years
When speaking about his encounter with King Charles Keith added: King Charles surprised me by talking about the Royal Navy We spoke about various events and shook hands before I stepped back, bowed and walked out before proceeding to pose for photographs afterwards and then traveling in style to the Savoy Hotel ”
Across HC-One s care homes staff and residents are taking the time to reflect on the remarkable lives of residents who served in the Armed Forces acknowledging their invaluable contributions to our country These men and women now in their twilight years carry stories of courage resilience and dedication that continue to inspire and educate future generations
Rachel Rix, Home Manager at HC-One’s Gittisham
residents have either served or have friends and family with connections to the military and we must preserve their memories for future generations ”
Respect and appreciation of the armed forces is engrained into the fabric of HC-One which signed the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2023 as part of its commitment to being an inclusive employer
Nuneaton Care Home Unveils
Moving Knitted Poppy Memorial
“I used to place poppies on my
The project was born after last year s Armistice Day and has since become a symbol of remembrance and unity Armistice Day observed on 11th November each year marks the end of World War I and honours those who gave their lives in military service Residents and staff at the 60-bed care home in Nuneaton, along with their families and friends worked together to create the poppies pouring their time effort and care into every stitch
The installation includes red poppies symbolising remembrance for those who served in the military particularly in the First World War It also features white poppies for peace and purple poppies to honour the animals that lost their lives in war
The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after the poem In Flanders Fields described how poppies grew among the graves of soldiers in the fields of Flanders
Each knitted poppy now decorates the front of the care home serv-
ing as a striking reminder of the sacrifices made by so many
More than 100 people contributed to knitting the poppies over a 12month period creating a display that stretches over ten metres
The soldiers beside the poppies were crafted by Shaun the care home s Receptionist while Admin Manager Teresa oversaw the project and placement
This project has been so much more than just a display Teresa shared "It’s been a way for all of us to come together and show our gratitude for those who gave everything for our freedom It s a true labour of love ”
Linda a 78-year-old resident shared her thoughts by saying Least we forget the sacrifice made by so many for us to live as free people God bless them everyone ”
90-year-old Jean P who grew up in Birmingham] and witnessed the effects of war on her community, commented, “This display is truly special It s a lovely tribute to all those who lost their lives for us It brings back so many memories ”
This moving display will stand as a lasting tribute to the heroes of the past and the unity of the community
At Alex Wood House care home in Cambridge one resident looks forward to Remembrance Day with a special sense of pride and respect Basil Taylor once a member of the esteemed Household Cavalry treasures the annual day of reflection and remembrance honouring both his service and the sacrifices made by others in the armed forces
Basil s journey into the military began in 1959 when he joined the Household Cavalry as a Horseguard He was only a teenager at the time and eager to serve so eager that he added a few months to his age to sign up before he was officially called for national service
The initial training an intense eight weeks of marching drills or "square bashing as it’s known was tough Despite moments of doubt when he almost packed up and went home he persevered driven by the dream of becoming a Horseguard
After the demanding march training Basil s journey truly began when he was introduced to the horses His primary responsibilities included caring for three magnificent horses Bobby Sades and Igloo He became skilled not only in riding but also in grooming and preparing them for parades It wasn t just the horses that needed attention; Basil also spent hours polishing his Horseguard s ceremonial helmet boots and breastplate to keep them parade-ready Basil remembers fondly the 16 weeks of riding lessons held in Windsor Great Park near Windsor Castle It was a challenging but fulfilling time learning to ride with grace and control while armed with a bayonet or a sword, and bonding with his fellow Horseguards
Once his training was complete, Basil moved to the Knightsbridge barracks close to the famous Horseguards Parade in London He spent the next three years as part of this prestigious unit performing in parades and serving as a personal guard for Queen Elizabeth II during events such as Trooping the Colour He recalls the pride he felt riding through London with a police escort guiding them along the grand streets of Knightsbridge Hyde Park Corner and the Mall
After three fulfilling years Basil left the army but his commitment to service continued He became an active member of the Royal British Legion, proudly carrying the Legion standard in Fulbourn s Remembrance Day parades Though Basil never saw active combat, he holds a deep respect for those who did and takes this time each year to honour their
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Former Wren From Bournemouth Reflects On Meeting Husband At Remembrance Day Ser vice
Wren
Wrens (Women s Royal
She said: “Being in the
Stoke-on-Trent Care Home Resident Remembers War Hero Uncle
Learning about our residents histories is so important to us as a care home because their passions and experiences have made them the incredible people they are today, and allows us to help create memorable moments such as this ’
94-Year-Old Veteran Remembers Fellow Soldiers
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Broughton House Veterans Pay Tribute To The Fallen At Remembrance Day Ceremony
to pay tribute to fallen servicemen and women at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford A 100-year-old D-Day paratrooper was among the residents who led the poignant service in the grounds of the care home
Peter Belcher a sergeant in the Parachute Regiment during the Second World War read the Lord s Prayer and the Kohima Epitaph during the moving ceremony
Other service veterans taking part were Major Andrew Dinning who served as a commando with the Royal Marines, Captain Robert McMillan who served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Lt Sandy MacDonald who served in the Royal Artillery Major Dinning read the poem In Flanders Fields Capt McMillan laid the wreath and Lt MacDonald read the Exhortation
Residents wore their Broughton House blazers and medals for the service which was also attended by military personnel
The ceremony also
regularly supports the veteran community is the custodian of the lamp lights and members of its team were among those taking part in the Broughton House ceremony
Challenge The Wild founder Dan Searson who was a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps said The lighting of the Lamp Lights of Peace symbolised our enduring commitment to honour these heroes The flames illuminate their bravery
The ceremony also featured a bugler playing Reveille and The Last Post as well as a two-minute silence Afterwards children from St Philip’s Primary School in Salford sang hymns for the guests in the Veterans Mess at Broughton House
Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House said: The service marks an important occasion for our residents to remember their fallen colleagues and the sacrifices made by all service personnel It’s really important for future generations to appreciate what they went through in order to defend our country and our freedoms ”
Peter Belcher said: It s important to remember the men and women who fell in wars Those fighting in World War One had it much worse than we did, battling in the trenches ”
Broughton House has cared for more than 8 000 veterans since it opened its doors to the ex-service community in 1916 It was recently redeveloped into a complex with a 64-bed care home, including two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia as well as independent living apartments an array of modern facilities a museum gym hairdressing and barber’s salon and a restaurant and bar for residents It also has an Armed Forces Support Hub which provides support for elderly and working age veterans living in the community
Residents of Broughton House were VIP guests at the Remembrance Sunday service at Salford Cenotaph Gary Taylor a resident of the Broughton House apartments read the Exhortation
Hepworth House Care Home Displays Cascade of Handmade Poppies for Remembrance Day
Brize Norton Care Home Resident Champions Respect for Remembrance Day
A resident at HC-One’s Brize Meadow Lodge Care Home - just a stone’s throw away from famous RAF Brize Norton - is sharing his story ahead of this year s Remembrance Day
Brian Montgomery had an extensive career in the Royal Air force that saw him travel the world, reaching the prestigious rank of Warrant Officer before moving to an exciting career at NATO
Recipient of the first ever King Scout Award for Lincolnshire Brian joined the force in 1951 which saw him deployed in Cyprus Peru and even Iran
At the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis Brian remembers flying in Britain s iconic Vulcan aircraft, recalling the harrowing pressure that both he and his squad members were under and the period of intense work and fear he felt during that time, fearing that him and many of his comrades would not return
Brian Montgomery resident at HC-One s Brize Meadow Lodge Care Home
said:
“At the height of intensity of the Cold War we were scheduled to station in Maine USA but we got the call to rush back to New Mexico We were not told why at the time and there was a lot of confusion around what we were flying back to “It was a frightening time; I don’t think I had much time to think about what was happening I get a lot more emotional talking about it now than I ever did back then I think we all just got on with it and got our heads down ”
Brian s work across his deployment led to be invited to Buckingham Palace on January 1 1980 to receive his MBE award as part of the New Year Honours list which was the “highlight” of his career
After his time in the RAF he and his wife Doreen moved to Holland where Brian started a new career with NATO A few years after Brian retired, the pair moved back to Poole in Dorset When Doreen sadly passed away in 2019 Brian moved to Carterton in West Oxfordshire to be closer to
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Hickathrift House Care Home Hosts Remembrance Day Community Knit And Natter Project
Hickathrift House care home, in Marshland St James, Wisbech invited residents their loved ones staff locals and the wider community to join them in creating a giant poppy display for Remembrance Day
Volunteers had been knitting and crocheting over 1 500 poppies in around 6 weeks to fill an 8ft by 6ft mural at Hickathrift House There are various shapes textures and colours of red and purple demonstrating the
thought was possible I feel privileged to have helped to create this”
General Manager Paula Colman said
We feel proud of the efforts that have gone into this display It s a proud remembrance community here at Hickathrift House and we feel privileged to create this symbol of remembrance It has been really lovely to see different generations getting involved, from a 90-year-old resident down to our 13-year-old Duke of Edinburgh volunteer as well as all the family and friends of residents at Hickathrift, the staff and volunteers”
Remembrance 2024: Army Veteran’s Ser vice Recognised After 65 Years
An Army veteran in High Wycombe has finally received a medal in recognition of the dangerous work he undertook 65 years ago ahead of Remembrance
Michael Mossop received the Nuclear Test Medal after his daughter Sarah applied for it on his behalf
Released in 2022 after years of campaigning by veterans and charities, the Nuclear Test Medal is awarded to UK service and civilian personnel and individuals from other nations who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted between 1952 and 1967
Michael was serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps (RAPC) and was stationed on Christmas Island in 1959, shortly after hydrogen bomb tests had taken place on the South Pacific island Michael, who is now living with dementia, joined the Army in 1951 and served for 31 years rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Daughter Sarah said:
During his time on Christmas Island he was distressed to see the impact of the tests close up and he
often spoke of his relief that no more tests were carried out there
Sarah said that as teenagers she and her brother would discuss difficult and challenging issues with her dad She said: He said he saw his role in the Army as a peacekeeper doing things to protect his country He was in his teens during WWII and people he knew died, and he was very conscious that we didn’t want to live through another major war He was part of the effort to stop that happening again and that was a valuable contribution ”
Sarah said her father was fortunate to not suffer health conditions which have affected other nuclear testing veterans, and added: As a family we are immensely proud of Dad It was nice that we were able to apply for the medal and to remember and commemorate the work he did ahead of Remembrance I think it will mean a lot to him as the Army was a massive part of his life ”
There have been growing calls for veterans who were exposed to radiation from nuclear tests and their families to receive compensation
‘Moving’ Tales from World War Two and Beyond
Mark Remembrance Day Across HC-One Care Homes
Over Remembrance Day staff and residents across HC-One’s care homes took the time to reflect on the remarkable lives of residents who served in the Armed Forces acknowledging their invaluable contributions to our country These men and women, now in their twilight years, carry stories of courage, resilience, and dedication that continue to inspire and educate future generations
Across HC-One’s homes from Rose Court Care Home in Radcliffe Manchester to Brize Meadow Lodge Care Home in West Oxfordshire veterans continue to share stories of bravery hardship and perseverance HC-One s Rose Court Care
Home resident Daphne Coldridge aged 101 comes from a military background
With her father and brother serving in the army and her husband Kenneth out at sea during the Second World War, Daphine was also doing her bit for the war effort creating essential parts for military aircraft
Sadly Daphne lost her brother during the war and recalls the hardship of the Homefront saving stamps which were used to buy material for her bridesmaids dresses
When describing her experience in the war Daphne Coldridge, said:
The food was rationed and the dried eggs were horrible The noise of the sirens was not nice and I used to watch the bombs falling from the sky ” The memories of residents at HC-One s Leighton Court in Wallasey, who lived through WW2 are a testament to the strength of the human spirit during times of unimaginable adversity
Resident Terence Dalton, also known as Terry, was born at the end of WW2 and grew up in Birkenhead surrounded by bombed out houses Terry was unable to see his father for some years due to him being part of the Navy working in Burma Myanmar who later continued his naval career working on HMS Mersey as a minesweeper Terry recalls seeing his father return along the Mersey into Liverpool docks and living close to British shipbuilding company Cammell Lairds, who played a key role in World War I and II by both
During WW2
Rodney, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Ark Royal Terry would sit and watch the workers leaving after their day at work and there would be hundreds pouring out from the site
Terry Dalton, resident at HC-One’s Leighton Court Care Home, stated:
I was born a year after the Second World War and my father was in the Navy During this time we lived in prefabricated houses and I remember seeing my father’s ship HMS Mersey returning
It was a very worrying time seeing bombed out houses but I am proud
man There is a unique connection there
Leighton Court resident George Price was 11-years-old during the start of WW2 George grew up in Seacombe Wallasey and he revealed that his father was a gunner in WW1
George recalled seeing the River Mersey filled with ships in the docks During this time, George and seven other children had the job of delivering the telegrams across Wallasey
He explained that it was “exciting” to deliver them to a soldier camp based in Wallasey Village and also to American Liberty Boat which was stationed in Bidston docks According to George parties were often held on the boat
Although they had ration books during the war local families could still get meals handed to them from the local community centre in Seacombe
The road Leighton Court Care Home is situated on Manor Road was one of the biggest areas to take a hit during the war George recalls the police station park and houses around were all wiped out, which was a “terrible” site for those living nearby at the time
George Price, resident at HC-One’s Leighton Court Care Home, said:
“Sometimes they would throw parties on the American Liberty boat, and this was the first time I had ever seen stainless steel All the food was lined up for the American soldiers which included rows of lamb chops and other
REMEMBR ANCE DAY 2024
Veterans Mark Remembrance with Royal Star & Garter Ser vices
Elm Bank Care Home Residents
Remember The Fallen On Armistice Day
Residents and Staff marked Armistice Day by wearing poppies and observing the national two minute silence residents also enjoyed an amazing afternoon of music from the ‘Barrack Boys’ who delivered songs from
Rememb ering all those who gave their lives in ser vice.
We at The C arer rememb er the ser vice and sacrif ice of all those that have defended our f reedoms and protected our way of life.
We thank all those who shared their stories with us.