I miss my soldier husband when he’s in war zones

ONE of my favourite childhood memories is sitting on my grandad’s knee, listening to him telling stories from his time serving in the Armed Forces during World War Two.

I used to listen in amazement, unable to comprehend what they had all gone through.

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As a soldier in the Parachute Regiment, he was dropped behind enemy lines, ultimately fighting a bloody battle in Arnhem, in the Netherlands, in which he was captured by the Nazis and taken as a prisoner of war.

But while my grandad was liberated, came home and was able to tell his story, many of his friends did not come home — they perished fighting to defend the freedoms we all hold so dear today.

They were among the 384,000 Brits who made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in combat in a bid to hold back the march of Hitler’s evil empire.

My grandad was so proud to have served this country and, like everyone else of that generation, was determined that future generations would never forget the sacrifice made by millions of young Armed Forces personnel.

The deaths of World War Two should have been a lesson to us all. But sadly, that hasn’t been the case.

Since then we have seen conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few, as well as the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Our Armed Forces continue to be engaged today, working with limited resources and putting their lives on the line daily.

Many have returned home with life-changing injuries, both physically and mentally.

Far too many never return home at all.

As the wife of a serving Army officer, I know only too well the risks servicemen and women take, but I also understand the sacrifices their friends and families make in order to support them.

It was only a little over three weeks ago that Scott — a Major in the Parachute Regiment — and I tied the knot, but he has already been whisked away from me and is on exercises in Europe.

I know this is the life we will lead, him travelling to far-flung places across the world for months at a time with little contact, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Thousands of children across the UK won’t get to spend Christmas with their mums and dads this year, as they will be deployed across the world serving their country.

So it is important we all do our bit to remember them and their families by supporting charities such as the Royal British Legion, which does so much important work to raise awareness of the challenges they face every day.

NEVER FORGET

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal has been going for 100 years, raising crucial funds to offer support to both serving and retired military personnel and their families.

The range of services it offers is vast, from helping retired personnel adjust back into civilian life to offering financial assistance in times of need and ensuring access to mental health care for those who can never forget the horrors they have witnessed.

And it is not just retired personnel who benefit, it is there for all serving military and their families too.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year was the first in a century that the Legion’s army of 40,000 volunteers weren’t out on the streets collecting money for the Poppy Appeal.

It is the charity’s biggest fundraiser each year and provides a huge portion of the £60million it spends helping people annually.

It has undoubtedly put a huge hole in the charity’s finances and made this year’s Poppy Appeal more important than ever.

So if you see one of the Royal British Legion’s volunteers in your town centre over the next few days, please stop and say hello and give what you can.

Every single penny makes a huge difference and can provide a lifeline for both individuals and their families.

CONTINUE TO SERVE

Also, please wear your poppy with pride.

It is a small way of showing respect to those brave men and women who selflessly gave their own lives so that we can experience the privileged lives we do today.

But also please spare a thought for those who continue to serve, who continue to put us and this country’s values before their own safety.

They are the very best of us and should be celebrated as such.

War, conflict and peace-keeping hasn’t stopped.

Hatred, oppression and discrimination all still exist.

Our Armed Forces are as important today as they have ever been.

And so is the Royal British Legion and the services it provides to the more than 100,000 former servicemen and women.

It can only continue to do its amazing work with your support.

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