Last Friday, 31st October, marked 40 years to the day that THIS Administrator, Carol Bridgman began to support the Royal British Legion (RBL), initially by selling poppies.
Carol, who is currently the Membership Secretary for the RBL Heckmondwike branch, has over the years covered various roles there including a whopping 22 years as their Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Chief Digital and Information Officer, Rob Birkett, said: “Carol has been with THIS for more than 10 years and always has a welcome smile and chat for anyone visiting Elland. It’s an amazing achievement and commitment to support the Royal British Legion for 40 years alongside her husband, Kim.
“Carol also supports our CHFT Armed Forces Network and represented the RBL at our recent hosting of Kirklees Armed Forces Network earlier this year.
“And of course she’s already selling poppies again this year in the local area, as well as at the THIS HQ in Elland.”
Carol and Kim, who has been supporting the RBL for 37 years, began their work to remember uncles lost in service. She said: “Neither of us have served in the Armed Forces but wanted to give back to our country to thank family members who paid the “ultimate sacrifice”. They were:
Private 62779 Joseph Henry Smith KOYLI
My great uncle Private 62779 Joseph Henry Smith KOYLI who was shot by a sniper on the day of his 18th birthday. We visited his grave in Inchy, Northern France on the 100th anniversary of his death.
Pilot Officer 1111795 Lewis Arnold Bridgman (159 Squadron)
My husband Lewis Kim Bridgman (who works for Calderdale Council) is named after his uncle Pilot Officer 1111795 Lewis Arnold Bridgman (159 Squadron) who was shot down over Rangoon in 1945. He is buried in Chennai Cemetery (Madaras).
Pictured, left to right:
- MP Kim Leadbeater, Lewis (Kim), Carol and Arif Ahmed (from the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque)
- Carol selling the first poppy to the Mayor of Kirklees in 1994
- Carol snapped by Morrisons last week on social media