War veterans urged the public to support the service men and women at the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal.
Jack Chapman and Fred Blackwell were among those who attended services across Stockton, to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal.
Both men urged the public to support the appeal to help the organisation provide much-needed help to former servicemen and women when they are in crisis.
Jack, 91, who served in the Middle East, Africa and Italy in the Second World War, attended the three services at Thornaby’s Pavilion shopping centre, Yarm and Stockton.
He said: “People don’t realise, there are lads that have come back from Iraq and the like that have really suffered and need a helping hand. And the Royal British Legion runs holiday homes where ex-servicemen and women can go and get some rest and recuperation.”
Jack says his own experiences of World War Two meant he left for North Africa just two weeks after he became engaged and he didn’t return for nearly four years,
He was finally able to marry his fiancée, Kathleen, in 1946 and they were together for 54 years until she passed away in 2001.
“The war was a terrible time but fortunately for me, and I was one of the lucky ones,” said Jack, a dad-of-two and grandad of four - one of whom is in the RAF.
Fred Blackwell, will celebrate his 95th birthday on Armistice Day, November 11, was also on hand to support the appeal launch.
Fred, who was in the Royal Artillery, said: “The war was a terrible time and I lost a lot of good mates, even members of my own family.
“You never forget the incident when you lost a mate even though it’s 70 odd years ago. I always tried to get on with my life but you don’t forget.
“I put my trust in God and still have the New Testament I carried, wrapped up to protect it, throughout the war. I saw some terrible action and believe God looked after me.”
Fred, who worked at ICI as a process operator after the war, added: “The Royal British Legion is so important and helps many ex-servicemen of all ages when they get in a fix. Some need financial help, some need other sorts of help. It doesn’t matter - they all served their country and should be supported.
“Until a few months ago I represented the RBL by going into schools and talking to children about war and what we went through, I enjoyed doing that. The Poppy Appeal is really important and I hope people support it. I just hope we never ever have another world war.”
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