Preston Army veteran to honour Grandfather at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday will be particularly poignant for an Army veteran from Preston this year.

John Newcombe, 63, has been invited to lay the wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of Help for Heroes, and will be thinking about his grandfather Lesley, who served in the Second World War.

John will be joining 10,000 others from the veteran community at the Cenotaph Parade, in London, to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He was an infantry soldier for 34 years, serving with the Devonshire and Dorset Infantry Regiment. He later enlisted in the Territorial Army, serving with the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment before joining the Royal Engineers bomb disposal squad. He was injured in a blast in Northern Ireland during the 1980s and has since developed primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which is now at an advanced stage.

John said: "During the Second World War, my grandfather was killed in northern France a few days after surviving the D-Day landings in 1944. My grandfather has inspired me over the years, especially when life has got tough – not just when I served but also with my health, as MS has taken away my independence.

“How can I think things have got bad for me when he, as a young father of two, had to wade through waves, bodies and misery on the beach and then not come home to his family?” asked John whose service medals are proudly displayed at his home alongside his grandfather’s.

John is part of the ‘very seriously injured’ group supported by Help for Heroes – who have all suffered life-changing injuries as a result of service and need 24-hour care. The 50-strong group will be the biggest group ever to represent the Charity at the Cenotaph, including some of the UK’s most seriously wounded veterans to have survived their injuries.

John added: "Remembrance Sunday will be a sombre occasion, as I won’t just be thinking about my grandad, but also those I served with and those I have lost over the years.

“It will be very humbling to represent those who did not make it home from conflicts but also those who did, who are living with physical or mental health issues and are supported by Help for Heroes,” said John whose son Sean served in the Army for four years with the Queen’s Dragoon Guard Regiment.”

Rob Marston, Service Director for Help for Heroes added: “It's so important that we commemorate the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country - and at Help for Heroes we also remember those still fighting their own battles today.

“We remain at the side of veterans like John and their families who are struggling with painful injuries, mental trauma, isolation, and more – providing life-changing support for as long as it takes. That’s why it’s more important than ever that the public makes a promise to stand alongside our veterans to ensure they get the support they deserve.”

Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes is inviting members of the public to sign the People's Promise, to show veterans that they intend to keep the promise to veterans and their families, that they will be supported when their service ends www.helpforheroes.org.uk/peoplespromise

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands – 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, regular or reserves, irrespective of length or place of service, and local civilians (and their families) working under the command of the UK Armed Forces.

To get support visit helpforheroes.org.uk or visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.