Country Court Care Homes are once again honouring Remembrance Day with a heartfelt Roll Call, celebrating the veterans within our community—both residents and staff—who have proudly served in the Armed Forces.
We’re committed to making Remembrance Day a meaningful occasion for everyone in our homes. Our Remembrance-themed activities have brought people together to reflect, share stories, and remember, fostering a powerful sense of connection and gratitude.
We express our heartfelt thanks to those who have served and honour those who are no longer with us. We will remember them.
Tim is the Maintenance Person at Ruby Lodge Care Home in Thirsk. He served in the Royal Air Force for six years, with an additional six years as a reservist, stationed at RAF Catterick and RAF Marham.
He is also the Standard Bearer for the Royal British Legion in Thirsk and led the parade for Remembrance Sunday 2024. After the ceremony in the town square, Tim visited Ruby Lodge in his uniform, where he spent time with the residents in honour of the occasion.
David is the Catering Manager at Summer Lane Care & Nursing Home in Weston-Super-Mare. He joined the Royal Air Force as a chef apprentice at age 15 in 1970 and served until 1997. His service took him to RAF bases in the UK, as well as Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, and the Falklands. He holds long-service and General Service Medals for Northern Ireland and the Falklands campaign.
https://www.countrycourtcare.co/support-advice/meet-our-chefs-our-long-serving-chef-manager-david/
Kevin served as a chef in the Army Catering Corps for 25 years, from September 1971 to March 1996, with postings in the UK, Germany, Canada, Belize, Kenya, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. He received multiple medals, including the GSM and Bar, Gulf War Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Saudi Medal, and Kuwait Medal.
Ivon served in the Royal Air Force as a Senior Aircraftman for 12 years, from 1983 to 1995. He completed basic training at RAF Swinderby and trade training at RAF Hereford, and then served at RAF Cottesmore (now Kendrew Barracks), as well as in Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, and Saudi Arabia during Operation Granby in 1990-91. Ivon received the Saudi Arabia Campaign Medal for Op Granby and, in his second year at RAF Cottesmore, had the honor of helping to cook for the Queen in the Officers' Mess.
Colin, our Wellbeing Coordinator at Greenwood Court, volunteered in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 1986 as a chef and served in the Falklands War aboard HMS Andromeda.
Jim joined the Royal Marines at 17 and, just six months later, took part in the D-Day landings. He spent six weeks on Sword Beach in Normandy, where he earned a medal for saving a fellow soldier’s life. He left the Marines at 21.
Jim later received an OBE for his work with the NHS. He fondly remembers his conversation with the Queen and seeing his son and daughter in the audience.
This year, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Jim joined the Mayor in Thrapston to light the commemorative beacon.
John joined the Navy at age 18 as an Army Supply Specialist, stationed in many locations across the world, including Scotland, Sydney, Australia, and Singapore.
Colin was in the RAF for two years in Dishforth.
Ken served in the National Service Army from 1956 to 1958 as a Royal Artillery Gunner, stationed in Cyprus and Germany.
Bill served in the National Service Army as an Infantry Soldier in the 1950s, stationed in the UK and Cyprus.
Ivan was an RAF pilot during his National Service in the 1950s, serving in the UK.
Roy was a Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer based in the UK and spent four years traveling around the UK, repairing army equipment.
Alan served as a Flight Engineer in the National Service from 1952 to 1955, stationed across Europe.
John was a Chief Technician in the Air Force for 22 years. He was awarded a Royal Victorian Medal for his services to the Queen.
Frank was a Sailor Junior Officer in the Navy for two years. His rank was a sub-lieutenant.
David joined the Army at 15 in 1959, beginning his training with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Hampshire, where he stayed for two and a half years. At 17, he moved to Donnington to work on gun maintenance for a year. At 18, he was posted to Singapore to oversee ammunition delivery. He returned to Oxfordshire in 1966 and served for another year before leaving the Army in 1967.
