June | 2012 | Veterans Road Trip

Road trip to the Bomber Command Memorial this thursday

June 25, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

I’m very honoured to have been invited by the RAF to the opening of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park on thursday. This long-awaited public memorial will commemorate the 55,573 young airmen and people of all nations who lost their lives in the controversial bombing campaigns of World War II. Thousands of veterans, their widows and family members from all over the world are coming together to commemorate their lost relatives and comrades. I’ll be going with Reggie Hay from the taxi charity […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: charity, Personal, Veterans

Afghanistan veterans meet WWII veterans in Worthing

June 24, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

Last week’s trip to Worthing was all jolly good fun, but it was a lot more than a nostalgia trip. The taxi charity was originally founded in 1948, when many men had returned from World War II injured and unable to get around very easily. So a few London Taxi drivers got together and had the idea of a taxi charity that would help make veterans’ lives more comfortable and enjoyable. Most WWII veterans are of course now quite elderly. As much […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: Personal, Veterans, Worthing

A great British day out to Worthing with 200 veterans in a convoy of over 100 Black Cabs.

June 18, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

Last Tuesday the London Taxi Benevolent Association for the War Disabled took over 200 war veterans on their annual outing to Worthing, my second road trip with the charity. This trip is a real highlight in the lives of many veterans, some of whom can’t get about very easily nowadays, on account of hovering around 90! More than 100 Black Cabs collected the veterans from various locations in and around London. They gathered first in South Holmwood, a former British Legion […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: Diary Entries, Photos, Veterans, Worthing

Today, 200 war veterans going on a road trip in a convoy of 130 Black Cabs to Worthing

June 10, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

Tuesday 12th June: the London Taxi Benevolent Association for the War Disabled are taking 0ver 200 war veterans on their annual outing to Worthing. This trip is a real highlight in the lives of veterans, many of whom can’t get about very easily. Around 130 Black Cabs will be travelling from various locations in and around London. As with the charity’s recent trip to Holland, all of the splendid taxi drivers are giving their time for free. The passengers will include an array of veterans […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: charity, Diary Entries, Veterans, Worthing

‘I am a child of freedom. Thank you Mr. Veteran.’

June 5, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

Watching the Jubilee celebrations in London reminds me of the last time I saw crowds out to welcome a procession of visiting British dignitaries! Then, however, the crowds were Dutch and they were out in force to welcome 160 World War II veterans in a convoy of London Black Cabs in Holland. Frans Ammerlaan from the Market Garden Foundation of The Netherlands recently sent me this collection of photographs which wonderfully capture some of the events: crowds of Dutch people welcoming […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: Holland 2012, Photos, Veterans

Guest post: Dickie Hudd, Honorary Chairman, on his memories and a song

June 4, 2012 by veteransroadtrip

This week, I asked Dickie Hudd, Honorary Chairman of the London Taxi Benevolent Association for the War Disabled, pictured here with comedian Al Murray at the send-off from the Union Jack Club Club in London, to send me some of his thoughts and memories from the trip. My mind’s been filled with so many thoughts, memories and pictures: the smiles, the children, the sheer number of people who turned out to greet us, the warmth, the affection and the kindness […]

Categories: Diary • Tags: Al Murray, Holland 2012, Personal

Veterans Road Trip

A collaboration with The London Taxi Benevolent Association for the War Disabled.

Monthly Archives: June 2012