2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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97-year-old veteran given top french military medal
12 February 2020
A WWII veteran who was unable to leave his home for five years until Blesma came to his rescue has received France’s highest order of merit; the Legion d’Honneur. Reginald Webb joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1942 after his family home was bombed in the war. He saw action two years later, landing on the beaches of Normandy in the days after D-Day. His first task was to help protect Arromanches, where troops and supplies would off-load. “The Germans were trying to take the harbour away from us. By the time heavy Infantry arrived we had lost most of the company. We only h
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Members in full sail at the Greek Regatta
11 February 2020
Blesma Member Nigel Smith took 11 of his fellow Members to Greece for a week of sailing around the Ionian Islands. On their arrival at Preveza Airport in Lefkas they were taken to their destination – Vounaki Beach Club – where three yachts were waiting to be crewed. They were split into groups of four and each group was given a safety briefing by their skipper to make them ready for their first day of sailing. Two boats were manned by qualified Day Skippers and the third by a Yacht Master. The Yacht Master would be teaching a crew of three Members the basics o
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Chelsea Pensioners
9 February 2020
Some three-and-a-half centuries after it was first established, the world-famous Royal Hospital is looking to undergo a far-reaching modernisation programme. An ambitious strategy to modernise the Royal Hospital Chelsea has been devised to boost its ability to care for survivors of modern warfare. The Hospital, which was established in 1681 and is now home to 300 Chelsea Pensioners, is expecting an increase in applications from veterans who are coping with limb loss and mental health conditions. The Hospital’s far-reaching proposals include a wellbeing clinic that co
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A century at the cenotaph
8 February 2020
The first armistice day took place one century ago, in 1919, making this year's parade at the cenotaph perhaps more poignant than ever. The Association’s involvement in the Remembrance Day Parade is a hugely important tradition. For every Member it means something different, and over the course of the weekend a variety of emotions are experienced: from the fun, laughter, and companionship of the Saturday evening buffet, to the serious, sombre, and poignant business of the parade and two minutes of silent remembrance on the Sunday. Fifty three people attended
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