MEMBERS of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Association will hold their once-a-year collection on behalf of the Alexander Rose charity on Friday in the centre of York.
Among their many veterans of previous conflicts – i.e. Malaya, Korea, Aden, Suez, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, the Falklands and not forgetting our latest member from Afghanistan – will be the oldest member who served in Contraband Control in the Royal Marines during the Spanish Civil War and on the Battleship HMS Warspite in the Second World War.
At the age of 92, he was marooned 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle while laying his wreath of poppies on the cold waters of Ofotfjord in Narvik. It took three days and five countries to return home.
Fortunately his companion was a former member of 45 RMCdo (Arctic trained), so all was well.
We look forward to seeing you on the day in the foreknowledge that the citizens of York will be as generous as every.
Thank you.
Bernard Halls, PROP Naval Association, Hawthorne Avenue, Haxby,
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here