Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
New recruits to poppy collectors’ ranks welcomed
Paul Kelly is a proud, battlehardened ex-soldier with nine tours of duty under his belt, including in Bosnia and Iraq where he was shot in the hand.
Now the former colour sergeant, who served with 2 PWRR (Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment), says he is honoured to be collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Canterbury city centre alongside veterans from the Royal British Legion.
Dad- of- two Paul, 49, from Herne Bay, said: “It’s great to be able to join the stand and do something for the legion.
“I would have done it last year but I was away working.
“It’s good to talk to the many people visiting the stand and I am amazed at how generously they are giving.
“Some of them have asked me about my medals and think I look too young, which I probably appear to be alongside some of the other volunteers.”
But Mr Kelly has not left the dangers of conflict behind. He now works as a security adviser in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Nigeria.
Another new collector for the legion this year is 74-year-old Patrick Austin, who was inspired to get involved by “the grandfather I never knew”.
Albert Austin, who was born in Blean and later lived in Whitstable, served with the Field Artillery during the First World War and returned home severely traumatised and later died in his 50s.
Mr Austin, from Canterbury, said: “He died before I was born. I regret the fact that I never knew him but I have heard a lot about his life and what he went through, which was pretty A memorial to a Kent cricketer who was killed in the Great War was rededicated at the Kent Cricket Club’s Spitfire Ground yesterday (Wednesday) on the 100th anniversary of his death.
Colin Blythe, pictured, lost his life at Ypres on November 8, 1917, aged 38. He was a star spin bowler who also
tough. He also lost his wife, my grandmother, at a young age, which must have been tragic for him.”
Mr Austin’s other grandfather also served during the Great War and his father during the Second World War. He said: “I just want to do my bit and am collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Marks & Spencer, where people have been incredibly generous and supportive.”
Also collecting for the appeal for the first time was a group of played for England. Now his stone memorial at the ground has been refurbished to mark the centenary and extra information added, including the names of other former cricketers who died in the war which have since come to light. Family, friends and supporters gathered for a short service in their memory, which was followed by lunch in the pavilion.
Kent Police cadets from Canterbury, who set up stall in Asda on Saturday morning.
The Volunteer Police Cadets programme provides an opportunity for young people aged from 13 to 17 to get involved in activities which support community policing and learn about responsible citizenship.
Canterbury Royal British Legion president Gerry Ferrett said: “It is fantastic that they are supporting the appeal. We are really grateful.”