Barry Le Grys MBE
Blesma’s new Executive feels “privileged, excited and nervous”
19 March 2014
Ex-Defence Adviser in Canada Barry Le Grys has recently assumed the role of Chief Executive at one of the most historic forces charities in the UK which leads on support after limb loss.
“Joining at a time that sees the beginning of commemorations for World War I - the conflict that brought about the Association, the 70th Anniversary of D Day in World War II - the conflict in which our oldest Members fought and also the end of the current combat mission in Afghanistan - the conflict in which our youngest Members have been injured, I feel a mix of privilege, excitement and nerves in equal measure.
“The year ahead is therefore a significant opportunity for the Association to draw upon its heritage, the wisdom of long serving Members and the vitality of its most recent Members. Weaving these strengths together for the benefit of the wider military community is my immediate focus.”
Prior to the Army, Suffolk-born Barry worked in the offshore oil industry, before going to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He has since commanded national and international forces up to brigade formation level, and seen active service in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, the Gulf, the Balkans, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. Stints in between have taken him to the Cabinet Office, a NATO appointment, Army Headquarters and Chief of Staff roles in field formations.
Fortunately he witnessed no casualties amongst his first Regiment’s time in Northern Ireland but early days of the Balkans campaign saw a fellow Sapper lose his leg to a loose rocket, initiating debate on compensation for injured UK soldiers on a UN mission.
Long term resident of Cardiff, Barry served with the UN in Sierra Leone during the devastating, almost decade long, conflict that fostered amputation as a favoured fear-inducing tactic of the rebel forces. The surviving casualties are evident across the country today.
As professional head of the Corps of Royal Engineers, concentrated upon generating sufficient military engineers with the right equipment, training and procedures, primarily for campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Barry was heavily involved in the challenge of building up the capacity to find and neutralize improvised explosive devices.
A member of Royal College of Defence Studies with specialist knowledge of the near and middle east, west Africa and security sector reform, most recently Barry served on secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Canada. Canadian Forces served alongside UK Forces in south Afghanistan and their mission has now ended.
He believes there are valuable lessons in the aftermath of the Canadian commitment for Government and Charity sectors in the UK, and their relationships with one another, the media and the public.
The only downside to joining the Blesma team, he quips: “I have had to hang up my ice skates and hockey stick, but I admit to spending more time on the ice than on the puck anyway.”
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images of Barry Le Grys can be downloaded from the links below:
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About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.
Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
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