I was asked by the Chairman of Cornwall Council to stand in for her for the ceremony for the71st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain; which took place in Portreath’s St Marys’ Parish Church; near the current and Second World War Air Station. I was only too happy to stand in because even though I did my time in the Senior Service my Father (1968-93) and Grandfather (1941-70) both served in the RAF. So, I have a soft spot for the junior service.

As the years go by, there are less and less veterans from the war period. So, it was nice to see so many veterans wearing their campaign medals for this ceremony. As with all remembrance ceremonies it is a moving experience; more so when the names of those who paid the ultimate price are read out.

It was especially poignant because out of the many names read out many were not British servicemen, but from the Commonwealth including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Churchill, perfectly sums up the debt owed by us with his immortal words:

“The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, turned the tide of the world war, by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. 

Today I attended the reception held by Cornwall Council to honour the Jack Tars of 854 Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose. They along with 1000′s of other of our Forces have served in Afgan. It’s no easy task to be in the face of constant peril, but its also hard for those families left behind to having to deal with getting on with the day to day things and hoping those ‘over there’ are ok.

It was good to chat to many of those there. Many in fact I had served with, so it was good to catch up with them and have a chat (in Naval terms that means having a good mank & moan) about life, the old days and how people are keeping.  Later this year this unit is deploying again. They do a 3 month rotation with their sister unit.

It was good to see Cornwall Council honouring not just those on 854, but in essence all those who are currently serving.

Last night I attended the Chairman’s reception for the Ships Company of HMS Cornwall. Two Bus loads of the Senior Service were shipped over to County Hall for a few drinks and nibbles. (Jack and Jenny is the nickname of male and female sailors)

What struck me when looking at the Ships Company all dressed in Square Rig was the amount of Campaign Medals that they were wearing. It was not just the old sea dog that had a chest full, but those in their late teens early 20′s that were wearing them. Here they were dressed in their No1′s wearing Campaign Medals standing in a building that they were in simplistic terms out there in the world defending our right to debate, make new rules and laws.

Sadly, and I know there is a General Election on, but I am sorry to say there were not many Cornwall Councillors present. No more than 15 Cornwall Councillors attended out of 123. Sad really, as these people could make the ultimate sacrifice. It would have been nice if more Councillors could have turned up. An Interesting fact that a few years ago 54% of all personal in Afghanistan were from the Royal Navy (Royal Marines are part of the RN).

Chatting to the Officers, Senior Ratings and Ratings it was the lower ranks that were generally interested in how Politics works. I was humbled because they generally wanted to know how it all worked. It was a little easy for me as I was able to speak the same language as them as I wore the same uniform many years ago. I took a few of them into the Chambers to show them. They were again generally interested and impressed not with the building, but the concept and that each seat in there represented a part of the community.

Looking around the Long Galley you could see the young sailors chatting to the various Mayors with them and pointing at the gold they were wearing and asking lots of questions. It seemed the Sailors were interested in what gold each was wearing, whilst some of these Mayors were more interesting in their medals.

Special mention should go to Mo and the Chief Stoker, they were great company! Sadly both of these will be leaving the service soon. Mo (and he will hate me for this) Won the MBE in Sierra Leone 12 years ago. He was the youngest ever rating in the RN to be awarded the MBE. Ask him how he got it; he will say “wrong place right time”.

Another Rating I met was caught up in that debacle a few years ago with the Iranian Gunboats. He was one of those who were captured. What impressed me most was that he was offered over £30k to tell his story, guess what he said. Not interested. You have to ask yourself how many of us would turn down £30k when that’s equivalent to 2 years wages tax free.

Why have I mentioned these two, well these are just two of the people in that room that had a story to tell or had seen something. Ask them about it and they will just say “life in a blue Suit”. This Ships Company are a credit to themselves and the Royal Navy.

In true Naval fashion the bar was left empty at the end of the day

I am somewhat disappointed and saddened to have to write this Blog. It concerns our Service men and women who are fighting, and with regret, dying abroad.

The Chairman of Cornwall Council decided that those units that were serving in Afgan and based in Cornwall should have a little reception on their return over at County Hall. This is not to glorify war or tag on the coat tails of our brave forces, but to say “Thank You for what you did/are doing”. It isn’t going to make up for the hardships they had to endure, but at least they know people do care.

The sad part to this Blog is that this thoughtful gesture offered by the Chairman has been knocked on the head by the MOD for the simple reason that “it is too close to an election for this event to happen, but we don’t mind you doing this AFTER the election“.

Well sorry, but by the time that’s done some of these forces will be starting to return to Theatre or are trying to get on with their lives as best as they can.  There is no point in holding a reception 3 months after you have returned. It should be done (within reason) as close to the time you have returned.

I have served in our forces, over 14 years in fact, so I can speak from experience on this subject. We go about our business serving in whatever far flung place we are sent to. We get on with the job we are trained to do. I know if a Council wanted to hold a small reception for me to say “thank you” upon my return, I know I would have greatly appreciated the gesture.

It is insulting that the MOD has taken this action. The MOD can comment on this Blog if it chooses to do so, or come up with Political speak as to why this event had to be cancelled, but I feel the real reason is that they don’t want any war-type stuff in the news. I have also not been primed to write this. I spend enough time over at Council Hall to know the talk of the halls.  I could comment that I heard that the Chairman was upset over the cancellation, but I cannot confirm that.

The way the MOD has gone about this has left a bitter taste in my mouth. But then again, most of the MOD has never served in Uniform.

A day when the Nation remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for the greater good (we hope).

War is not fun, it’s not how Hollywood portrays it. I know, I have seen first hand what War is, and does. It is not pleasant.

We as individuals gather on the nearest Sunday to the 11th November to pay our respects. It always fills me with a sense of pride how many people of all ages do indeed turn out, in all sorts of weather, to pay their respects.

Wear the Poppy with pride. The next time you see some old boy (and girl) in the street, remember, some 60 years ago they were fighting for the freedoms we now take for granted today.

I hope on the 11th of November at 11am we all stop what we are doing and just take a minute to think of those past and present who have, and might make the ultimate sacrifice.