St.Helens Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report · 2018-11-28 · St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant Progress Report 2 St.Helens Armed Forces covenant Report 2018 Foreword

St.Helens Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report Report 10

St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant Progress Report

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St.Helens Armed Forces covenant Report 2018

Foreword I am very pleased to introduce St.Helens Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report for 2017/18, setting out the progress we have made over the past year. This is the first annual report produced since I was privileged to become Armed Forces Champion.

Throughout history, our borough has been – and still is - home to some truly remarkable figures who have served their country impeccably; from the St Helens Pals and the borough’s Victoria Cross recipients during World War One, to todays Veterans, Reservists and Cadets.

During the past 12 months we have remained committed to the covenant, held a number of high profile Armed Forces events and granted greater access to leisure services for all Armed Forces personnel and former members of the Armed Forces Community.

We recognise the important role that the Armed Forces have in our community and we are committed to ensuring that we recognise their contributions.

I believe, as a society, that we appreciate the contribution of our Armed Forces, but it’s also important to understand that veterans leaving the services may need support. I aim to work with all agencies to champion veterans and give them the support they deserve.

I look forward to continuing to fulfil the commitment that we made when we signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

Councillor Lynn Clarke Armed Forces Champion


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Content Introduction page 4 Progress against promoting equality of access to public services page 4 Effectively signposting the Armed Forces Community to key Public and page 10 Voluntary and Community services Identify opportunities to recognise and honour the Armed Forces Community page 11


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Report 10

1. Introduction 1.1 The St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant was signed on 18 June 2012 between

serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families working and residing in St. Helens and St. Helens Council, St. Helens Local Strategic Partnership, the Charitable and Voluntary Sectors and other members of the civilian community of St.Helens.

1.2 The Community Covenant aims to encourage all parties within St.Helens to offer support to

the local Armed Forces community and to promote equality of opportunity for Service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support available from the MOD, from statutory providers and from the Charitable and Voluntary Sectors.

1.3 The St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant Steering Group (AFCCSG) was

convened from representatives of the signatory agencies to co-ordinate and direct the implementation of the objectives of St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant.

1.4 The objectives of St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant are as follows:

• Advance equality of opportunity for the Armed Forces Community to access public services - Education - Skills and Employment - Housing - Health and Wellbeing

• To ensure members of the Armed Forces Community are effectively signposted to key Public and Voluntary/Community services.

• Identify opportunities to recognise the Armed Forces through such activities as Freedom, Homecoming and Remembrance Parades and support to the annual Armed Forces Day.

• Identify opportunities to access the Covenant Fund.

1.5 For transparency and scrutiny the St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant Steering Group provide a progress report annually to Colonel Russell Miller the Commanding Officer at Headquarters North West.

1.6 This report identifies the progress that has been made against the objectives of the St.Helens

Armed Forces Community Covenant for the period June 2017 to May 2018.

2. Progress against promoting equality of access to public services

2.1 This section sets out an update of the issues raised by the Armed Forces Community linked

to the public service areas of (i) Education / Skills (ii) Housing, (iii) Employment, (iv) Health and Wellbeing.

2.2 Under Helena Partnerships’ choice based social housing letting scheme called “Under One Roof” the Armed Forces Community receive certain enhanced priorities. In general all applicants are prioritised in bandings dependant on their housing needs; with ‘Band A’ being the highest priority, and ‘Band D’ being the lowest. Homeless people, including homeless Armed Forces Veterans, receive the highest priority under the Choice Based Letting Scheme = ‘Band A’, which is defined as Urgent Housing Need. The table below shows the Armed Forces enhancements within the ‘Under One Roof’ choice based letting scheme.


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Armed Forces Category

With Significant Housing Need Without Significant Housing Need

Regular Forces and Wounded

Band B (with a 12 month enhancement on the waiting list)

Usual banding according to need

Former Regular Forces (Veteran)



Regular Forces Widow(er) in Forces Accommodation



Regular Forces being discharged or made redundant

Band B (may apply 6 months before discharge / redundancy)


Reservist and Wounded



In order to be eligible to apply for social housing people who live outside of the Borough must have a local connection to St.Helens; e.g. family members living in the borough. However, Armed Forces applicants who live outside of St.Helens (including Armed Forces Personnel returning from postings abroad) are given a special status; they do not need to have a local connection in order to apply for social housing in St.Helens.

2.3 Armed Forces Families receive a specific dispensation under St.Helens Council’s School Admissions Code which reflects the unique circumstances faced by Armed Forces Families when being posted to different locations. Unlike civilian applicants, the School Admissions Team will consider applications for school placement from re-locating Armed Forces Families before they physically move to the area. Approval of such a request is conditional on the application being accompanied by an official letter from the appropriate Armed Forces Officer, declaring the relocation date and postal address to which the family is moving.

2.4 In relation to employment there are three main partners in St.Helens Job Centre Plus,

St.Helens Chamber, and Former Forces Support. St.Helens Chamber has a specialist business start-up team offering free support and advice to ex-Armed Forces personnel interested in starting their own enterprise. This includes one-to-one advice, a six-day training programme on all aspects of business start-up and management, and will match the client with a business mentor. Support can continue after the business gets off the ground, and the option to join enterprise clubs and networking events offers the best chance of success.

2.5 Job Centre Plus works closely with the Career Transition Partnership and SaBRE to ensure that Regional Service Leaver Job Fairs have appropriate information about employment and self-employment opportunities in St.Helens. This includes making use of the “St.Helens Armed Forces Information Leaflet” developed by the Council, and including information that people moving or returning to the borough would need to know.

2.6 The Armed Forces Community has a priority focus within St.Helens key health assessment

tool The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and this is reflected within the St.Helens Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The key issue for Armed Forces Community Health Commissioning have been identified as Addiction, Mental Health, Homelessness, and Social Care. It should be noted that since signing the St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant in June 2012 great strides have been taken by all commissioners and providers of health, social care, housing and welfare services to ensure that (i) members of the local Armed Forces Community are identified and supported if they are experiencing barriers to health, social care, housing and welfare services, and (ii) specialist mental health and addiction support is available, this includes the Veterans in Mind psychological therapy service provided by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Live Life Well Ex Armed


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Forces Service provided by Bridgewater HNS Trust, and ‘Change, Grow, Live’ the free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults in St Helens, which includes its own Armed Forces Service User Group.

Case Study - GMHH Input – Assessment & Brief Interv ention The client self-referred and was screened over phone the same day. Client attended first face-to-face appointment within 17 calendar days of referral. The client attended 4 appointments within the initial assessment phase due to alcohol issues. The client reported a long history of suicidal ideation/ behaviour due to bullying in the military. He reported one suicide attempt in the army and a suicide plan of driving his car into a wall in 2008. Another risk identified was the client’s alcohol use and the client reported a history of disengagement when alcohol abstinence had been recommended. Motivational interviewing and harm reduction was provided during assessment. The client reported multiple physical health concerns including lower back pain, cellulitis in both legs, reduced mobility in shoulders, multiple lung infections, breathing difficulties and a head injury. Consequently, the client reported extensive prescribing & a history of inconsistent compliance. The client also reported suffering multiple non-military traumas. He characterised his military career as feeling that he ‘didn’t fit in’. He reported suffering ‘systemic bullying’, degrading and humiliating treatment including having his clothing urinated on by peers, which led to a suicide attempt. He felt that he was exploited into performing job roles he had not agreed to. Treatment options were discussed with the preferred option to receive extended assessment with a senior member of the team due to the complexity of his presentation. The client was offered 2 extended assessment appointments and it was determined that he may benefit from therapy so was moved into Step £+. The use of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) from Veterans in Mind and mapping helped tentatively explore behavioural patterns and assist the client in making connections with how these related to his chronic history of abuse in childhood. The Client and therapist explored how this affected his present and interpersonal interactions & distorted evaluations of others motives. This stage of therapy assisted in developing a strong therapeutic rapport with the client and therapy then included Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to target key traumatic events in his life relating to the theme of bullying. Following this stage of therapy the client reported dramatic improvements in his mood/sense of wellbeing, reporting that he had unblocked a central issue and that things now made a great deal more sense. The Clients feedback was extremely positive feedback was given, which the client gave permission to be used to motivate other veterans to engage with Veterans in Mind.

2.7 The Veterans in Mind service provided by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust offers assessment and psychological therapy for veterans who have military related mental health difficulties related to anxiety, depression and/or PTSD. The service also has a recovery co-ordinator who can provide support with drug and alcohol issues. The service accepts referrals from health professionals, charities, voluntary agencies, public sector agencies, family, friends and self-referrals. The service will see veterans for assessment and therapy in local venues.

2.8 In March 2018 St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust held a Career insight day. The Step Into Health Programme has been created because the NHS recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that Armed forces personnel develop when serving, and how they are compatible with those required within NHS roles. This was an opportunity for Veterans and Ex-Forces to learn about the varied roles within the NHS across clinical and non-clinical areas get advice on applying and speak to those Veterans already in NHS employment.


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2.9 SAMS Hub provides essential services and support to the Armed Forces community, including dependents in St Helens and its surrounding areas, along with all serving personnel, reservists, early service leavers, veterans, and their families. SAMs Hub’s mission is to empower clients, providing them with ample opportunities to improve their quality of life. SAMS Breakfast Club is held every Thursday at 9am and operates from the Totally Wicked Stadium, McManus Drive, St Helens, WA9 3AL. The breakfast club is attended by Veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces and provides people with an opportunity to socialise and address any issues people may be experiencing. Representatives from the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Veterans in Mind (GMW NHS) as well as other professionals regularly attend the breakfast club and S.A.M.S Armed Forces Hub offers direct access and bespoke referral pathways to specialist health and armed forces organisations, including:

• The Citizens Advice Bureau • The Royal British Legion • SSAFA Forces Help • Veterans in Mind • Job Centre Plus • Shelter • Tom Harrison House • Lighthouse Project

SAMS Hub currently work with a number of employers who are able to provide employment-based opportunities, work experience placements and volunteer roles to those who have serviced in the Forces. SAMS also provide a Mentor Programme for those who require further peer mentoring support along with a commissioned non-clinical wrap around support service to the established Veterans in Mind (NHS) psychological therapy service and a non-clinical wrap around drug and alcohol support service.

Veterans attend SAMs Golf Event


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Sam’s Hub also deliver structured training programmes to people within the community who require such services, working with established existing partnerships in the community and building upon these relationships to create a positive impact on the wider community. SAMs provide the necessary support to ease the transitions, which not only benefit themselves, but also their community. The Hubs aim is to reduce the harm and potential risks to their clients Health & Wellbeing and also reduce the effects on the community when people are not achieving their best outcomes. In May SAMs Hub opened up a Dry Bar & Eatery, set up near the borough’s boundary on Heath Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield. The venue is intended to help people access outreach support groups, provide peer to peer support and gain a sense of belonging. The bar has been launched to provide a fun friendly safe venue for people with drug and alcohol and mental health issues. It provides an alcohol-free environment with numerous activities on offer such as acoustic evenings, quiz nights and live entertainment.

2.10 St Helens Rugby League FC and Saints Community Development Foundation (SCDF) have

continued to support the donation of match tickets to Armed Forces charities and put on events that support the Armed Forces Community. In June 2017 Saints Community Development Foundation joined forces with Andy’s Man Club. The club runs in the Community zone of the Totally Wicked Stadium and is run by the Foundations Armed Forces Ambassador Andy Reid.

Steve Leonard from SCDF alongside Corporal Andy Reid

2.11 SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, exists to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity. SSAFA have a set of strategic objectives set out in its priorities and how they go about achieving them. They underpin the key processes as they work together to provide the ever important specialist services and practical, emotional and financial support to Armed Forces and their families.

2.12 The Royal British Legion’s (TRBL) Case Officer for Cheshire and Merseyside Sandra Evans,

continues to work extremely closely with S.A.M.S Armed Forces Hub, providing regular outreach sessions at the St.Helens Armed Forces Breakfast Club and doing joint visits. TRBL has been working with individuals and families and the numbers of referrals have increased greatly since they started joint working with S.A.M.S. Denise Barber, Information and Advice Worker for Merseyside and Cheshire Royal British Legion, has continued to attend S.A.M.S Armed Forces Breakfast Club to meet clients and introduce Veterans to the benefits available through the Legion. The network of support now established in St.Helens ensures that new clients are referred to appropriate services such as local social care and health services, CAB, housing advice and social housing, specialist addiction services including Combat Stress and Veterans in Mind psychological therapy service, and especially to SAMS Breakfast Club.


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2.13 St.Helens Council’s People’s Services (Health and Social Care Services) commission

Veterans in Mind to support veterans by delivering specialist high quality care with a focus on improving psychological wellbeing, increasing social networks and long- term recovery. St.Helens’ Mental Health services work in partnership with Britain’s leading mental health charity, Combat Stress to deliver this service, ensuring effective clinical treatment and welfare support to veterans who suffer from ongoing psychological issues, resulting from their time as a serving Armed Forces member.

2.14 On the 9th October 2017, St.Helens Council granted greater access to all Council Leisure

services for Armed Forces Personnel and former Members of the Armed Forces. The memberships are all inclusive, which enable members to access Council run Gyms, pools, Sauna, Steam Room and Classes. The full entitlements are outlined in the table below:

Category Benefit

All serving Armed Forces personnel on leave

FREE access to all Council leisure centre; fitness suites and swimming pools

All serving Personnel and Veterans for 7 days starting on National Armed Forces Day each year

FREE access to all Council leisure centre; fitness suites and swimming pools

Recipients of an Armed Forces Pension and Compensation (MOD)

Free Go Active Bronze Membership (Daytime including weekends)

Armed Forces Regular, Reserves and Veterans

Discounted Go Active Bronze Membership (Daytime including weekends)


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3 Effectively signposting the Armed Forces Communit y to key Public and Voluntary and Community services

3.1 St.Helens Council Armed Forces Covenant Webpage include useful information for the Armed Forces Community. • Access to public services Health, Housing, Employment and Education • Access to local Armed Forces Charities, Associations and Groups The What is St Helens Armed Forces Covenant? webpage explains the how, why, when and what of the Covenant The St Helens Covenant Fund webpage includes links to the Covenant Fund Application Forms and Guidance on how to apply. The St Helens Armed Forces Community News webpage includes Local Press articles News from St.Helens Armed Forces Associations and Charities Information on how the local community have honoured the Armed Forces Links to local Armed Forces Associations and Charities websites The St Helens WWI Commemoration Events - Funding and Planning webpage has information about the WWI Commemoration events and exhibitions going on in St.Helens, and guidance and advice on planning and promoting a First World War Commemoration event.

3.2 The St.Helens Armed Forces Information Leaflet is available to armed forces service leavers and other members of the Armed forces community. It summarises local service information, useful websites and phone numbers and covers things like • How to register for social housing, doctor, dentist, schools etc. • Emergency services (including gas, water, and electricity) • Armed Forces Support Services such as S.A.M.S. Armed Forces Hub, The Royal British

Legion and SSAFA Forces Help.

3.3 The Armed Forces Email Network is maintained by the Council’s Armed Forces Support Officer. This distributes information about all Armed Forces related activity, programmes and projects that happen in the borough, and surrounding areas. Representation on the network includes the local Reserve Forces (103 Regiment Royal Artillery and 156 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps), local Cadet Forces, local Armed Forces Regimental Associations, local Armed Forces Veterans, Armed Forces Charities, CICs, Voluntary and Community Groups; the local MPs and the Armed Forces Champion.

3.4 St.Helens Public Health Services produces a Directory of Health Support Services which is shared with all local Armed Forces Regimental Associations. This is further supported through the Council’s Armed Forces Support Officer visiting Regimental Association meetings and taking information about Health and Housing Support Services to veteran groups.


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4 Identify opportunities to recognise and honour th e Armed Forces Community 4.1 On the 3rd May 2017 and the 10th May 2017, the Saints Night In with the Saints Community

Development Foundation took place at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Saint’s Night In focused on men’s health, and Veterans who attend SAMS Armed Forces Hub were invited along to two sessions. The first session was held in Saints Rugby Hall of Fame. Former Saints players gave presentations about their playing days and the experiences of finishing with the first team and adjusting to life after rugby. The men present were encouraged to chat about health needs and feelings. The participants were joined by representatives from Public Health and organisations such as the CAB, Addiction Services, and Leisure Centre Teams.

Saints Night In with the Saints Community Development Foundation at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St.Helens All the veterans who attended were encouraged to attend the second session, where they were given a Tour of the Totally Wicked Rugby Stadium and free tickets to the St Helens v Widnes game, which was played on the 9th June 2017. The second session gave the Veterans who attended access to the Healthy Living Team who offered free Health Checks. Veterans were informed of the support available through the Council’s Healthy Living Team to help them improve physical health and mental well-being. In both sessions all participants were provided with a free dinner of hot pot and red cabbage. The St Helens v Widnes match programme included information with regards the “SAINTS Night In”, which helped to promote men’s positive mental health to a wider audience.

4.2 On Friday 28th July 2017 dozens of Sergeant John ‘Jack’ Molyneux VC’s descendants gathered at a special ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil John Molyneux V.C. Close, situated off Robins Lane, Sutton. The ceremony was attended by St Helens’ Mayor and Mayoress Councillor Joe Pearson and his wife Sylvia, Colonel Mike Glover, the Lancashire Area Secretary for The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and Armed Forces Champion Councillor Gomez-Aspron. Following the event guests returned to St.Helens Town Hall for refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour. John Molyneux V.C. won the Victoria Cross for his brave actions on the front near Langemarck, Belgium on the 9th October 1917 when the British attack was held up by machine gun fire from a German trench. John, aged 26 at the time, organised a bombing party which captured the gun and killed the crew. He then jumped from the trench, calling for his comrades to follow him, running to a nearby house that was occupied by the enemy. Before any help could arrive, John became engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The enemy quickly surrendered and 20-30 prisoners were taken.


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Many local Veterans still speak fondly of John Molyneux and recall his musical talents as the accordionist who always played in the New Year celebrations at Peasley Cross. John died on 25th March 1972 at Ashtons Green Home in Parr, at the age of 81. His ashes rest in the Garden of Remembrance at St.Helens Cemetery.

Descendants and family of John Molyneux V.C., The Mayor and Mayoress of St.Helens, Colonel Glover The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and St.Helens Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Gomez-Aspron gather for the official opening of John Molyneux V.C. Close in Sutton.

4.3 On Monday 11th September 2017 the Merseyside Employment Initiative was delivered at the Peoples Club within Everton Football Club, Goodison Park. The event was aimed at helping service leavers and the Veteran Community gain employment. Attendees at the free event were given the opportunity to discuss self-employment options and welfare support, as well as attend CV and interview skills workshops. The Merseyside Employment Initiative was deemed a success by attendees and business as it brought them both together in a relaxed environment to discuss employment, training and welfare support options across Liverpool City Region. As a result of the publicity it generated 74 pre-registrations, with 96 Service Leavers, Veterans and spouses being in attendance on the day, this number also included several wounded injured and sick personnel.

4.4 On the 9th October 2017, St.Helens Council held a ceremony to unveil the WWI Centenary

Commemorative Paving Stone of John Molyneux V.C. During the War, John Molyneux returned to Brittan to receive his Victoria Cross from King George V, and was given a hero’s welcome when he finally came home to St Helens. 100 years on, dozens of his descendants and their families gathered at a special ceremony in Victoria Square, as the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Joe Pearson, lifted a Union flag to uncover a commemorative stone in John’s memory which reads ‘Sergeant John Molyneux Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 9 October 1917.’ Guests joining John Molyneux’s family included the Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside Mr. Alan Chick; Colonel Mike Glover the Lancashire Area Secretary for The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Marie Rimmer MP, Council Leader Councillor Barrie Grunewald, and Armed Forces Champion Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron


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Major Johnny Ellis, Captain John Price, Major Roly Sutton join The Mayor and Mayoress of St.Helens, Armed Forces Champion Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, Colonel Mike Glover and members of John Molyneux’s family. A fitting rendition of ‘The Bluebells of Scotland’ was performed by local accordionist Jennie Nolan in tribute to John, who performed the Scottish folk song on the day he was honoured for his Victoria Cross at St Helens Town Hall on 1 January 1918.

‘Last Post’ during the John Molyneux V.C. commemorative paving stone unveiling ceremony, played by Royal Naval Association Veteran, Bugler Arthur Gillon. Speaking after the unveiling, The Mayor, Councillor Pearson said: “It’s a great privilege to be asked here today to unveil a commemorative stone in honour of Sergeant John Molyneux. Sergeant Molyneux’s story is one of great bravery and loyalty to his brothers in arms in the face of peril, but as John himself humbly says, it’s a story shared by so many young men – around the world – who went to war, with many never to return. Let us celebrate his valour and remember all those who fought for their country.”


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4.5 Along with the rest of the country, the Borough of St.Helens commemorated Remembrance on Sunday the 12th November 2017. There were many formal Remembrance Services held in the borough with larger gatherings at Newton–le-Willows, Haydock, Rainford, Rainhill, and St.Helens, as people from all over the Borough united to honour those who died during the conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Residents joined servicemen and women, veterans, cadets and armed forces families, to pay their respects for the fallen of the borough. In Newton-le Willows, the Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Earlestown was attended by local Councillors, Cadet Forces and Conor McGinn MP. In Rainhill, a morning service at St Ann’s Church was followed by a parade and wreath laying ceremony. In Haydock, a service was held at the Remembrance Garden, Penny Lane. On the morning of Friday 10th November, schools in Billinge attended a church service to commemorate Armistice Day.

Remembrance Sunday, St.Helens Cenotaph, Victoria Square At St.Helens Cenotaph, Church of England Reverend David Eastwood, Roman Catholic Reverend Deacon David Caudwell, and Methodist Reverend Martin Wood led a Service of Remembrance where the crowds heard readings by Chair of the St.Helens Branch of the Royal Naval Association Trevor Howard, and WWII Burma Star Veteran Lawrence Powers. After the Service, local veterans, servicemen and women, Sea and Army Cadets and the Air Training Corp paraded past the Cenotaph. Civic Leaders - including the Mayor and Mayoress of St.Helens Councillor Joe Pearson and his wife Sylvia; Marie Rimmer MP; Council Leader Barrie Grunewald, Council Members, and the Chief Executive of St.Helens Council Mike Palin - led the applause The Haydock Male Voice Choir and Valley Brass Band closed the ceremony with emotional renditions of Jerusalem and the National Anthem, as wreaths and poppy crosses were laid at the Cenotaph.

4.6 On the 17th November 2017 a performance called ‘No Petticoats Here’ took place at Eccleston Library as part of the award winning Cultural Hubs, arts-in-libraries programme. ‘No Petticoats Here’ is the thought-provoking acoustic performance created by musician and artist Louise Jordan that tells the true stories of remarkable women in the First World War through song. Louise’s original folk songs shed light on the inspirational women who challenged expectations and left a lasting legacy. Counted among them were an aspiring female journalist, who dressed as a soldier and travelled to the Western Front on a bicycle, the


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ambulance drivers running the gauntlet on enemy fire in Flanders, and the women who made the munitions and weapons of war. Most pertinent, was the story of the renowned local footballer Lily Parr; who was the only woman to be made an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum.

Louise Jordan in ‘No Petticoats Here’

4.7 On the 23rd March 2018, John Davies’ descendants and their families gathered at the Cenotaph in Victoria Square to commemorate the centenary of the anniversary of the day he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Guests joining family members included The Mayor of St.Helens, Councillor Joe Pearson, the High Sheriff of Merseyside Stephen Burrows Esq DL, Deputy Lieutenant David Steer Esq QC, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Gould of Merseyside Garrison, Major Andy Holsgrove from the 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, Major Darren Rawcliffe from 103 Regiment The Royal Artillery Reserve, Marie Rimmer MP, Connor McGinn MP, St Helens Armed Forces Champion Cllr. Lynn Clarke, Cllr. Teresa Simms, Cllr. Allan Jones.

4.8 The Mayor of St.Helens, Councillor Joe Pearson told of how on 24th March, 1918, Corporal John Thomas Davies leapt to defend his comrades as they were ordered to retreat after coming under enemy attack near the village of Eppeville, France. With the enemy so close on top of him, it was presumed Corporal Davies was killed in action and so his parents were notified of his death, and his Victoria Cross was gazetted posthumously. However a few


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months after his V.C award, Corporal Davies’ parents received a postcard telling them he was indeed alive and had in fact been captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp

4.9 Speaking after the event Councillor Pearson said: “On the 21st January 1919, The Mayor of St.Helens, Mr. Henry Bates organised a Civic Reception at the Town Hall in honour of Corporal Davies. Corporal Davies was presented with War Bonds and an Illuminated Address by ex-C.O. of St.Helens Pals, Colonel Sir John Harrington, who said: “Davies, you are an honour to your old regiment and an honour to your town and, I consider it an extremely great honour that I have been given the privilege of presenting you with this Address.”

The Mayor of St.Helens Councillor Joe Pearson addressing guests at John Davies VC’s Commemorations. At the closing of the commemorations, family members were invited to visit John Davies VC grave which had been renovated by the ‘Friends of St.Helens Cemetery’ group as a mark of respect to his Valour. The gravestone was lifted, re-lettered, re-laid and fixed. The stone masons also reset and fixed the memorial flower holder in front of the grave.

John Thomas Davies V.C.’s Grave, St Helens Cemetery


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4.10 On the 25th May 2018, Haydock Park Racecourse celebrated the Armed Forces at its

weekend race meeting. Vital funds were raised for ABF, The Soldier’s Charity; the national charity of the British Army - with lots of events taking place. The Jockey Club generously donated 2000 free tickets to the Armed Forces Community. These were joined by another 13,000 spectators, representatives of the local Cadet Forces, and 230 military personnel; representing all three Services

The day saw performances from The Lancashire Artillery Volunteers Band, The Royal Air Force Cadets’ Band, and 103 Regiment Royal Artillery Pipes and Drums. The Armed Forces Military Village provided a whole host of information and displays, including tanks and military machinery. Course-side, the Sea Cadets ran running a log race around the final furlong of the track, whilst the Red Devils parachuted over the course in a spectacular display. To crown it all the crowds were treated to a thrilling WWII Spitfire fly past.

Documents

St.Helens Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report · 2018-11-28 · St.Helens Armed Forces Community Covenant Progress Report 2 St.Helens Armed Forces covenant Report 2018 Foreword