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Service Before Self Poppy Brooch
Service Before Self Poppy Brooch
Whatever the generation, one thing is always very clear – that for all those who serve, they put service before themselves. We explore the different generations of Royal British Legion ambassadors and their stories.
This beautiful gold tone brooch features Swarovski Jet Preciosa Crystals, and Red Enamel.
Each brooch comes in a bespoke environmentally friendly jewellery box and insert where we are absolutely honoured to share the stories of our ambassadors.
Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin is a Corporal serving as a Combat Medical Technician in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He joined in 2015 because he had “always had an interest in helping people.”
Ash started collecting for the Poppy Appeal in 2016. In his second year as a collector, at London Poppy Day, he witnessed a man collapse. His Army medical training kicked in and Ash rushed to the man’s aid, providing support before an ambulance arrived.
Ash has since then, featured as part of the 2021 Poppy Appeal Launch and continues to collect for the Poppy Appeal every year. He said, “It’s a fantastic feeling to be part of continuing the legacy of the poppy”.
Anthony Cooper MBE
Kingsman Anthony Cooper, from Chorley, was told he would never walk or talk again after suffering life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.
Anthony, who lost both legs in a Taliban roadside bombing in Helmand Province in July 2010, was left in a coma for five weeks, unable to speak for several months, and had to learn how to talk again, beginning with the word ‘hello’. Anthony said: “I can’t remember anything after the explosion. I was carrying a Vallen bomb detector, but by the time we found it, it was too late to do anything, I couldn’t avoid it. The IED was 45 kilos, designed to blow up a truck, but I stepped on it and the Taliban detonated it”. “I lost both legs above the knee, I lost two fingers on my left hand, the fingertips on my right hand, the pupil in my right eye blew up and I suffered what the medic described as the worst blast brain injury in 25 years.” Anthony returned to Lancashire, having defied the medics.
With the help of the Royal British Legion, Anthony’s home has been adapted to suit his needs, which includes a series of repairs to the property. The RBL worked in conjunction with his local Council, who carried out the major works. Anthony still struggles with PTSD but the home improvements have made a vast difference to his mental wellbeing. This year, Anthony Cooper was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to veterans in HM The King’s Official Birthday Honours List 2023.
Bernard Morgan
At just 20, Bernard was the youngest RAF sergeant to land in Normandy where he said there were so many landing craft and ships arriving. As they waited for their time to land on the beach they watched on as other ships were blown up, and many soldiers lost their lives.
Two days before VE Day, he received a telex to say, “German war now over, surrender effective sometime tomorrow”. On May 8 it was confirmed that the war in Europe had ended. Bernard had a big party with his comrades – they lit a huge bonfire and celebrated late into the night.
He left the RAF in February 1947 having originally volunteered on his 18th birthday, February 1942. Since the War, he worked at Crewe Alexandra FC as a turnstile operator – for 57 years! He still sells programmes at Gresty Road, where he has been given a season ticket for life.
Bernard is keen for the younger generation to know exactly what went on during the War, and to appreciate the sacrifices that those lads made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. He is actively involved, even at his remarkable age, with the RBL Poppy Appeal!
Corie Mapp
Corie is an Army veteran, originally from Barbados, who served in Afghanistan. He is a double amputee who was injured in an IED blast in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, in 2010. The blast took place when Corie was driving a tank, where he also suffered a broken jaw, a severed lip, broken hand, and a punctured lung.
In just a few years Corie made a miraculous recovery and is now part of the GB Para Bobsleigh and Sitting Volleyball teams (Captain of the volleyball team), and he plays disabled cricket for Hampshire. Corie competed in the Warrior Games and the 2014 Invictus Games. He has also won a Gold medal in the inaugural World Cup Para Bobsleigh race held in Austria in January 2015.
Corie is a key volunteer at the Royal British Legion, he says, “I want to give back to the Legion. I would like to have a positive impact on someone’s life.”
Martin Pelling
Martin served for 27 years in the Royal Marines from 1986 to 2013. He saw active conflict in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Sierra Leone, and completed two tours of Afghanistan.
In 2010, when Martin was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 40 Commando Royal Marines, he lost 14 members of his unit in Afghanistan, with around 100 wounded. Notably, he was responsible for the repatriation parade from Camp Bastion in Afghan. Martin trained the bearer parties to carry the coffins. Also, when the Padre was absent from Sangin, Martin stood-in and took the Service of Remembrance.
Martin began working for the RBL in 2017 in the Membership team, and in 2018 he became a beneficiary, receiving hearing aids from the charity. He said: “Because the hearing aids are so effective, they allowed me to socialise a lot more than I was previously. The help I’ve received has had a lasting and changing impact on my quality of life.”
Whatever the generation, one thing is always very clear – that for all those who serve, they put service before themselves. We explore the different generations of Royal British Legion ambassadors and their stories. This beautiful gold tone brooch features Swarovski Jet Preciosa Crystals, and Red Enamel. Each brooch comes in a bespoke environmentally friendly jewellery box and insert where we are absolutely honoured to share the stories of our ambassadors.
All profits from the Service Before Self Poppy Brooch will go towards the Royal British Legion's work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
- Dimensions: 4.8cm (L) x 2.8cm (W) x 1.1cm (D)
- Materials: Brass, Zinc, Enamel, Preciosa Crystal, Swarovski Jet
UK and BFPO Standard Delivery is FREE on orders £40 and over, or £4.50 on orders under £40. We despatch orders Monday - Friday, and orders are usually delivered within 3 - 5 working days.
European Delivery is £14.00, and orders are usually delivered within 5 working days.
Rest of World Delivery is £28.00, and orders are usually delivered within 14 working days.
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