An RAF veteran from Ammanford, Carmarthanshire, is one of 44 veterans, carers, and staff from Help for Heroes, who will pay tribute to fallen comrades and family members who served, by joining the Cenotaph march-past on Remembrance Sunday (10 November), in London.
The veterans, who have all been supported by the Charity, along with members of staff who have also served, will form part of the Help for Heroes’ delegation attending the annual parade, which sees 10,000 members of the veteran community marching shoulder to shoulder in an act of remembrance along Whitehall.
David James, aged 58, has a strong family connection to the armed forces. Both grandfathers, a great-uncle and uncle served in WWII. He served himself for five years after joining the RAF in 1985, as an armourer. He was stationed in Germany from 1987, and unfortunately had an accident two years later, which led to chronic back pain.
In addition, he suffered from PTSD following the 1987 car bomb attack at the Rheindahlen military barracks, in West Germany, which injured 31 people. As a result of his back injury and his mental health issues, he left the RAF in March 1990.
David got in touch with Help for Heroes, in 2020, after his physical health began to deteriorate because of his PTSD, which meant he was unable to work. He received support with access to physiotherapy and the Charity sourced adaptive medical aids for his home, as well as securing financial support.
David also attends Help for Heroes’ events and activities in his local area, which have helped him meet up with fellow veterans and not feel so isolated.
He explained: “I will feel proud taking part in this act or remembrance service, but I’ll also feel pretty raw when I think about lost friends and colleagues. I’ll also be reflecting on the experiences of my family.
“My maternal grandfather, Charlie was an army medic in the Second World War; my paternal grandfather, Sidney was a Desert Rat; Sidney’s brother, Jim served on a minesweeper and died off the coast of Thailand when they were struck by a kamikaze pilot, in June 1945; and my uncle Kenny joined up in the 50s and served with the Paras and SAS in Malaysia and sadly died in 1963 while still serving.”
A spokesman for Help for Heroes added: “As we join the nation to commemorate the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country, Help for Heroes also remembers those still fighting their own battles today.
“We remain at the side of veterans, like David, and their families who are struggling with painful injuries, mental trauma, isolation, and more – providing life-changing support for as long as it takes – fighting for the peace they deserve.”
Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps veteran families to recover and get on with their lives. Thanks to the generosity of the British public, it has already supported more than 31,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.
The Charity supports veterans and their families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.
Supporting our veterans is a wonderful living tribute to the memory of the fallen. To support Help for Heroes in transforming lives, please visit helpforheroes.org.uk/donate.
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