A Poppy Tale...

Remembrance Day (11 th November) each year is an opportunity for the Nation to remember all those who gave their lives in the defence of the country and its interests. In the main those who are in the front line to achieve this are the Armed Forces who are prepared, if necessary, to sacrifice their own lives in order to protect others.

I was privileged to have served for 20 years as an officer in the Royal Marines (1960 –1980) during which time I witnessed the results of conflict in many parts of the globe bringing suffering to so many people. Having had the finest training in the world to combat the perceived threats against us, including my specialisation as a helicopter pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, it was reassuring to know that we had the resources to deal with virtually any situation we came across.

During my time in the Royal Marines I had a variety of postings both at home and abroad including Active Service in Aden, Borneo, Cyprus and Northern Ireland together with appointments in Norway, Singapore and the USA where I attended the United States Marine Corps [USMC] Staff College at Quantico in Virginia.

Some of the more interesting military activities included Chief Flying Instructor in Arctic winter flying in Norway, Search & Rescue duties, insertion of Special Forces on the Thai/Malaysian border and Operations Officer in 40 Commando RM in Cyprus when the Turks invaded the island in 1974. A two year tour as the Amphibious Operations Officer in the Commando Carrier HMS Bulwark, involving exercises with RM and Army embarked units in and around the Mediterranean in the 1970s proved somewhat challenging but also entertaining!

On a lighter note, when I was RM Public Relations Officer based at the MOD in London, we organised a publicity stunt for the Royal Tournament (then held annually at Earls Court) by abseiling members of the RM Mountain & Arctic Warfare Cadre down the front of the London Hilton in Park Lane – a great success! Another interesting challenge was organising the annual 2 - 3 night RM Mountbatten Concert at the Royal Albert Hall – always a popular event for lovers of good military music!

In summary I can say that I was lucky to have had a fulfilling career relatively unscathed and in good shape having served in arguably the finest regiment in the world and lived to tell the tale.

For those who weren’t so fortunate and their families it is re-assuring to know that the Royal British Legion exists to help in as many ways as possible those in need at very difficult times. Poppy Day and Remembrance is a means for all of us to remember those not so fortunate and to donate towards a very worthy cause!

Our Grandpop, JRA Skillern.