General Chat

I've been enjoying collecting for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal for ....... years now (remember I'm only 35), and am missing doing it this year, because of moving / having moved house. ... still, there's next year! Joy PS our wedding reception was in a British Legion hall!

For the last 5 years, or so, I have got my poppy from a great man. He is 85 years old. He is a old soldier, and last year collected the most money in London for the poppy appeal. Not only does he collect for the legion, he also collects throught the year for various other charities. The War Widows association, (organises a coach trip to the coast every year for them - with lunch and tea, ) burnt childrens charity, comic relief. Last year he dressed up as a fairy all in pink, with DM's too. Other charities benefit too. He was awarded a MBE 3 years ago - for his services to charity, one of his nominations came from the Police at St James's Palace. If anyoneis in London and is in the Pocadily area, by Fortum and Masons - you might find him there, playing his mouth organ and collecting tin in site - for all money raised goes to charity. He is one great character. Liz

Thankyou folks, I went to the church yard with the poppies, and feel tons better!.. Called in to see Mum and Dad, and have been given Grandfathers medals, and his Army no, which I have been searching for, So I am so pleased...hopefully I shall get somewhere now!.. A lovely day :))

dad was in suez and never really talked much about it when we were young, now im older he sometimes says things that happened there, memories he has of that time. my husband was in the falklands twice and never really talks much about things, only in passing about bodies they came across. i always tell my kids they should wear their poppy and be proud to wear it for all it represents not just the two world wars but all the forces that have lost through the years. its nice you took time to listen to this man , it must have made his day, so many are too busy to stop, or too selfish.

I bought some poppies and wooden crosses from a poppy man today. He had lots of medals and when pressed told me they were for Suez, Korea etc. We had a good chat too!

What's so silly about that, Christine? Sounds quite human to me! That man experienced the real thing, while we just hear about these things that happened. When I was younger, and older folk used to say "during the war, ..........." etc etc I used to think "here we go again, yawn" but what they went through must have been seen to be believed at times. I'll bet he was touched by your reaction. Glenys x

I had a similar "moment" some months ago. I had always known that my grandmother's brother was on the village war memorial and quite early on in my searchings I had printed his pages off from the War Graves Commission site. But it was when I was looking at the 1901 census not that long ago and I saw my Greatgrandparents as a young couple with their two small sons that it hit me, I knew what was going to happen to their eldest, a small boy of two, and that was my moment, I was in tears that day. It must be my age. Yvonne

What a lovely story, it's nice to be able to chat to the older generation, and for them to talk to us, feel good about yourself, you gave him the chance to talk, most of the time their families don't want to listen to all of the war stories again and again, so with you giving him an ear that listened, would have made the war worth while for him and his lost comrades... Bev

Have just come back from shopping, where I have had a lovely chat with the 'Poppy' man, he was so interesting with all his tales to tell, and his badges and medals were all shining with pride, I was telling him about Gt Grandfather in India, when all of a sudden I came over all tearful!, he was so nice, he said, "here, my dear, have a tissue",.. well, I was left wandering round the store shopping with a lump in my throat!, now back home, I feel daft!. How I wish I had asked Grandad more, when he was alive. I shall now take the Poppies to the church yard, and think on what that little man told me this morning!.. Hope I don't sound too silly, but I don't know what came over me!..