Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
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DIY SOS Homes for Veterans
1 November 2015
When Lamin Manneh appeared on DIY SOS he couldn’t have imagined how perfect his purpose-built home would end up. But there was one thing that really put the gloss on it... Lamin Manneh’s house in Manchester is full of laughter. With five kids ranging in age from two to 12, it’s a riot of noise and fun, with football games being played outside and drawings being coloured in at the kitchen table. At the centre of it all is Lamin. Originally from The Gambia, he’s got a big, ebullient personality – constantly tickling, hugging, and encouraging his children. It has, however, been a long j
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Major General Mike Swindells - obituary
30 October 2015
Major General Mike Swindles who has died aged 85, was a career soldier who rose to command his regiment. He was a National Chairman of Blesma from 1991 to 1996. In 1969, Maj Gen Swindells assumed command of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and, two years later, he took the regiment to Detmold in Germany. Traces of the informality of wartime days were still apparent. Many of the officers still dressed in jeep coats and tank boots, and wore Service dress hats and earphones wrapped around them on exercises. Maj Gen Swindells, who has a short fuse and stood no nonsense, soon converte
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Pensions for Veterans
16 October 2015
This information applies to: - Serving members of the armed forces, including reservists - this includes members of the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) - People who used to serve in the armed forces including reservists (veterans) - The dependants of serving members of the armed forces and veterans There are c
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Real Life Stories: Ken Gash
5 October 2015
Ken Gash was a trainee watchmaker before joining the Army at 19 when “that bloody fool Hitler started a rumpus.” His actions during WWII led to him becoming one of only a few Brits to win the American Silver Star... Not many American soldiers are ever awarded the Silver Star, one of the USA’s highest military decorations for bravery. So to win one as a British soldier is something quite remarkabl
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