A Legion Of Support A family’s work for the British Legion
Melanie and her daughter Kerri joined the Royal British Legion to help struggling ex-soldiers
Iwanted to do something worthwhile and admired those in my village who had served,” says retired Corporal Melanie Clarke (59) from Norfolk.
She joined the Army in 1978 and after completing her basic training, got her HGV3 (heavy goods vehicle) licence and was posted to Chattenden with the Royal Engineers, where she worked as a driver for Bomb Disposal. “I got to drive everything from heavy plant machinery, to amphibious tanks,” she said.
Melanie’s seven years of service would see her achieve some amazing things, from being in the first all-women team to build a medium girder bridge, to winning Lorry Driver of the Year. Her last posting was at Regent’s Park Barracks where she worked on the Queen’s baggage train. “Everything had to be spot on,” she says, “but I did get to meet nearly all the Royal Family.”
On one occasion, she was moving family belongings from Sandringham to Windsor Castle when a footman put a brace of pheasants in the back of one of the vans – just at the point Prince Philip arrived with his two black Labradors. “One jumped right in the back, snatched them and ran off,” she laughs, “with Prince Philip in hot pursuit brandishing his walking stick and shouting ‘come back you…!’”
There were sad times, too. Melanie was posted to Deepcut near Pirbright during the Falklands War. She remembers attending a weekly disco there and everyone sitting down and watching the TV in silence as the Sir Galahad went down.
“I actually spent the day with a girl whose husband was lost on board.”
It was at Regents Park that she met her husband, a former Captain, Paul. They married in 1984.
“I first became involved with the Royal British Legion (RBL) when we moved back to Norfolk. I was missing the service life and the RBL gave me access to people who were like me,” Melanie said.
Her first role fundraising was poppy collecting door-to-door and on the street, which soon expanded to car boots, fêtes, lunches, dinners, quizzes, Christmas
“I am sure the Legion will be there for me should I ever need them”
parties and attending the two local carnivals each year.
When Paul retired, they rose through the committee to Paul becoming treasurer and Melanie becoming secretary – and before long the rest of the family was getting involved, too.
“I became very good at making friends as we moved around so much,” says daughter Kerri (32). She describes growing up as a
“squaddie brat” as a fantastic adventure. “Just as Dad going away was the norm, so was my mum’s involvement in the RBL, so it seemed only natural to be a part of that.”
Kerri and her brother Peter joined as youth members in 1997. One of her proudest moments was being chosen to read the names of the fallen during the Remembrance Day Parade.
Organising trips and events has given Kerri the chance to spend time with older members and talk to them about their lives.
“I have a very fond memory of going to Duxford Air Museum,” she said. “One of our oldest decided to have a go on a flight simulator, which was highly amusing!”
Kerri has achieved some incredible things during her time with the RBL, raising £2,000 running the London Marathon only this year. But as a teacher she hopes to educate children about the Royal British Legion.
“I believe that the next generation should learn about the invaluable lifelong support the RBL give to the Armed Forces community,” she says. “I can be sure that the Legion will be there for me as an ex-territorial army Private should I need them.”
Kerri has been selected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in their aim to have every soldier who died in World War One individually remembered by someone living today.
She is paired with Sergeant William Fuller Pilch, who died on September 3, 1916. He grew up a mere five miles from Kerri’s current home.
“It’s not just about World War veterans,” added Melanie. “I want to continue to make sure that ex-service people and their dependants get the help they need. I hope that more people join the RBL so that they can continue their extraordinary welfare work.”
From her career, it is the black humour, loyalty and humbleness of her comrades that stands out for Melanie.
“They are willing to serve their country in whatever situation they are needed,” she said. One minute they are in the firing line, the next they are helping to deal with serious flooding back home.”
On the home front, Melanie talked about her grandson Bradley who is currently making them proud as a firefighter in the RAF. “There’s only one problem,” she laughed. “He should have joined the Army!”