The Royal British Legion is asking the people of Tunbridge Wells to draw upon their ‘unlimited generosity’ once more in memory of those who served and died for us.
This Sunday, wreaths will be laid around the country as people gather to honour and mourn our glorious dead.
Poppy appeal
Veterans and volunteers will be seen at stations, shopping centres and street corners until then, helping make the Poppy Appeal the action that embodies these words.
David Wakefield, president of the Tunbridge Wells Royal British Legion, told the Times: “The Tunbridge Wells branch was founded in 1921 by returning servicemen from World War I and we go from strength to strength.
“We have about 100 members who meet once a month and have a talk, but our big thing every year is the Poppy Appeal.”
Money raised on the streets of Tunbridge Wells goes to a centralised fund in London which is used to help members of the armed forces and their families cope with injuries and trauma suffered in the service of their country.
Mr Wakefield said: “The welfare state is so marvellous that the injured are really looked after well by the NHS. What we’re really doing in the main is trying to help servicemen integrate back into civilian life.
“The army wants fit young men and then returns them to civilian life but they can have great difficulty reintegrating. Their skills are not those wanted by civilian employers.
“The public’s generosity is unlimited and we are very grateful. The only limit to what they contribute is the number of collectors we can put out on the street.”
Anyone able to spare any time collecting for the appeal should email Mr Wakefield at david.wakefield1@tesco.net or call him on 01892 523983.
Mr Wakefield, along with the civic party and representatives of other organisations and services, will be present at the Tunbridge Wells service of remembrance, at the war memorial in Mount Pleasant Road, from 10.45am on Sunday.
Tunbridge Wells Remembrance Sunday service
The civic party and dignitaries will leave the main entrance of the town hall at 10.45am and proceed to the memorial to be in place at 10.50am.
As a member of the cabinet, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP is on duty at the Cenotaph in London laying a wreath on behalf of the government. He will be represented by Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Jon Vanns, RNR.
Following the service, the civic party will return to the town hall where the mayor will take the salute from the march-past of contingents attending the service and parade.
At 2pm, the mayor and deputy mayor Councillor David Neve will attend Hawkenbury Cemetery to lay wreaths at the two memorials in honour of the servicemen, women and civilians who are buried there.
He will be accompanied by the Royal British Legion chairman, president and buglers. Following the wreath-laying, there will be a talk entitled ‘Gallipoli – the wider view’.
