𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟑 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭.

On 3 August, WWII Veterans, Norrie Bartlett, Harry Rice, Mervyn Kersh and Marie Scott, post war veterans Vic Needham Crofton and Peter Gosport and Mike, Ken, Davidand Trevor from The Royal Hospital Chelsea were invited by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to attend the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle.

 

In beautifully sunny weather, volunteer London cab drivers brought the veterans to the Castle for a programme which included, a horseback display by the Worcestershire Cavalry, the Red Devils parachute display team freefall demonstration and the Battle Proms Belles singing vintage favourites beforethe New English Concert Orchestra rounded off the night accompanied by fireworks and cannon fire.

The Charity’s Vice Chairman Paul Cook ensured the party did not go hungry having made three different types of scotch eggs, potato cheese and onion puffs, coconut, mango, cashew nut, mint and chilli salad, savoury croissants, and a Tarte Tatin. 

To complete the picnic Erith based Crumbs Bakery donated a box full of cakes, a box of bread pudding, and two boxes of their famous sausage rolls.

London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military veterans said, “As the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment, taking veterans to Highclere Castle for the Battle Proms was a great way to spend a summer’s evening. 

Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed a tot or two of a limited edition D Day rum from Distinct Distillers, which raises funds to support our work. We also got to meet the Countess of Carnarvon who generously spent some time with our group.”

WWII Veteran Mervyn Kersh said, "It's always so very nice to be invited and yesterday's outing was a first for lots of us. We were, as always, royally looked after and wanted for nothing. The team's attention to detail is unbelievable. Great company in a spectacular setting, rousing music, aerial displays, a handmade picnic and I even had a private word with Sir Winston about the state of our country!"

 

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

 

Header Picture Captions 

First image: WWII veterans Norrie Barlett, Mervyn Kersh and Harry Rice with Winston

Second image The Countess of Carnarvon with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

Vice President Dick Goodwin with WWII veteran Norrie Bartlett

 

Fourth Image 

The Distinct Distillers team offer WWII veterans Norrie Bartlett and Harry Rice a tot of D Day rum

𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐎𝐧 𝟐 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲, 𝟕𝟎 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐛 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭.

Over 100 veterans from London and the home counties enjoyed a day in Worthing courtesy of volunteer cab drivers who support the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

After rendezvousing for refreshments in the village of South Holmwood, the cabs drove in convoy to the Pavilion Theatre on the Worthing Pier. The veterans were welcomed on the Marine Parade by Bob Smytherman, the official Town Crier for the Borough of Worthing and Adur, before entering the magnificent Art Deco building.

The veterans enjoyed a fish and chip lunch before guest speaker Matt Hellyer, the Chief Executive of the charity Pilgrim Bandits, who reached the rank of Warrant Officer in the SAS and served in every conflict over the past three decades and completed over 400 operations, spoke about his life and experiences. 

Taxi Charity Chairman Colin Mills thanked the Mayor Of Worthing Cllr Ibsha Choudhury for donating the splendid venue and finding parking for the cabs along the seafront.

As is customary on the annual visit to the coast, which has been a highlight for veterans since 1948, the guests were entertained, and had the chance to get up and dance or join in with the singing before the raffle was drawn and the cabs took the veterans home – meter off!

Colin Mills, London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said, “This was my first Worthing outing as Chairman of the Taxi Charity and I am delighted that the team who organised the day did such a fantastic job and everyone I spoke to said they’d had a really good time. On the journey back home via South Holmwood I thanked everyone at the village hall and they were delighted that so many had stopped off at the village hall on their journey home from Worthing and I assured them we will be back next year and the tradition will continue.”

Afghanistan veteran Ben Mead said, “Yesterday was a phenomenal day. Being able to enjoy the camaraderie and the banter between veterans and the taxi drivers is truly priceless. It is like being in the military where you don’t see each other for weeks, but suddenly whenever everyone gets together the conversation and the laughs carry on, as if it was only yesterday. As always when leaving to come home, I was full of happiness and had a huge smile on my face, thanks to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.”

Andy McClaren who accompanied WWII veteran Norrie Bartlett to Worthing said, “Typically superb day laid on by the cabbies for our cherished vets. Well organised boy and girls.”

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

🇬🇧 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟖𝟎 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟖𝟎 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝

On 4 June, London Taxi cabs drove; ten Normandy, two WWII, five post war and two Afghanistan veterans, and a team of volunteers, carers, companions and medics across to France for the D Day commemorations.

The five day itinerary included commemoration services at Pegasus Museum, Ranville Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and the village of Grangues, as well as visits to the Grand Bunker and Abbey aux Dames de Caen.  

The trip was led by London cab driver and Taxi Charity Chairman Colin Mills who said, “What an honour to lead this group of veterans and volunteers as we came together to remember the events of 80 years ago. With us were veterans who had landed on the beaches, protected the channel, taught signalling to the troops and transmitted messages to the beaches, who enjoyed applause and thanks everywhere theywent. We are proud to support veterans from all conflicts and joining the Normandy Veterans were those who had served after WWII in Korea and Kenya as well as younger vets who had served in Afghanistan.” 

London Cab driver Daren Parr, who has rowed the Atlantic and climbed Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Taxi Charity said, “This was my first European trip with the charity and is something I will never forget, creating memories I will cherish forever. It was a real privilege being around these living legends. Getting to sit, talk and hear their stories was a real treat. I was hanging onto every word, asking questions and getting a unique insight into a big part of our history.” 

WWII veteran Marie Scott, who transmitted messages to the beaches said, “What an amazing experience. I am fortunate to have travelled to Normandy on several occasions and always thoroughly enjoy my time away with this special charity but this really was the best time ever. The Charity has given me so many incredible experiences over the years, but on 5 June this year, I had the honour of speaking at the commemoration service at Pegasus Museum in front of fellow veterans from England Canada and America, as well as  personnel representing all the services.”

Entrepreneur and Taxi Charity Ambassador, 29 year old Johnny Gallagher who recently raised £135,000 for the charity  to take veterans to Europe for acts of commemoration said, “I am shocked to learn that less than half the youth of today know what D-day is. I am truly hoping that my actions  will inspire change to the education system so that more young people can learn and understand the sacrifice these veterans made for our country.”

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

Johnny Gallagher (centre front image 4 ) raised over £135,000 in six days to support the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Some of the money paid for the Veterans and the support team to travel to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D Day and the rest will be used by the charity to fund future events and trips to the continent. 

www.justgiving.com/page/johnny-gallagher-1714059136560

𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬:

(1) Colin Mills, Chairman of the Taxi Charity, with veterans and volunteers on Sword Beach

(2) Veterans attend the commemoration service at RanvilleGWGC

(3) Normandy veteran Les Underwood at the British Normandy Memorial 

(4) Johnny Gallagher (centre front) 

🟩 Thousands Cheer British Veterans in the Netherlands

On 5 May thirteen British and one Canadian veteran led the Liberation Parade through Wageningen applauded by thousands who lined the route

The British veterans had travelled to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which has been making the annual trip for Dutch Liberation since 2012 and were joined by a Canadian veteran for the weekend in Wageningen, theDutch city of liberation. 

In the Netherlands the 4 May is the national day of remembrance and British Market Garden veteran Geoff Roberts had the honour of lighting the flame of liberation with Canadian veteran George Brewster at midnight in the Wageningen town square, watched by millions on Dutch TV.

The following day thousands of people arrived in Wageningen to watch the annual Liberation Day Parade which was led by three golf carts and two London cabs carrying the Taxi Charity veterans.  

The veterans were showered with flowers, gifts and a thunderous round of applause during the 5KM route and it was heartening to see the tears shared by the veterans and the families of those they had liberated 79 years before. 

During lunch on 4 May, Hans Kranenburg, President of the Police Sport Association, who addressed the veterans said, “We are extremely honoured and privileged with your presence. 

Without your sacrifices, and those of the many soldiers and freedom fighters we would not have been able to stand here to speak freely and to walk in freedom. 

Words cannot express what you have done for us. We will never fully understand the depth of your scars. 

Your dedication and commitment to liberate our country will always be in our hearts and minds. We owe you so  much.”

Taxi Charity Advisor Frans Ammerlaan MBE, from the Market Garden Foundation said,“We look forward to welcoming British veterans to the Netherlands each year and it is always such a pleasure to host these brave men and women.” 

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans 2024 Dutch Liberation group 


Dick Goodwin, Honorary Secretary, the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said, “The party of veterans had such a wonderful time thanks to the carers, volunteers, London cab drivers and our old and new Dutch friends. The reception the veterans receive everywhere we go is overwhelming and even on the ferry home, the other passengers formed a guard of honour and applauded as the veterans headed to the lifts to disembark.”

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

 

 

⬛️ 𝐑𝐈𝐏 𝐖𝐖𝐈𝐈 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟓 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟔 - 𝟏𝟔 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Tom Schaffer, who was affectionately known as the poster boy of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans died on 16 March, he was 97. Tom was a regular on Taxi Charity trips across the UK and to the Netherlands and Normandy and for over 30 years.

After enlisting during the war and initial training, Tom volunteered for the Parachute Regiment and was accepted and  joined the 13th (Lancashire) Battalion. His first military action was in the Ardennes as part of 6th Airborne and his first jump was Operation Varsity in March 1945. The aim of this operation was to establish a bridgehead across the river Rhine for the main Allied advance into Germany. 

In 2022, Taxi Charity Chairman Brian Heffernan was thrilled to take Tom to an event at Markshall Estate, Colchester to commemorate the 77th anniversary of those who flew in Operation Varsity. Tom said at the time, “Operation Varsity was part of our job. My only thoughts at the time were let’s get this done. 

We lost a lot of men, but the operation was a success and we captured 3.500 German soldiers. The Taxi Charity take me to commemorations all over the country and on the continent.  The volunteer cab drivers like Brian pick me up from home and without them I would not be able to participate  in so many commemorative occasions. They take us on fantastic social events too!”

On 5 December 2019, Tom was presented with the Dutch Liberation Medal by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Arts who was the Dutch Military Attache to the United Kingdom. Tom said, "It is a real honour to have been presented with the Dutch Liberation. Next May, I will be travelling to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Dutch Liberation and I will wear this medal with immense pride."

Chris Watson, commented on the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans’ Facebook post, “Our dear Dad has gone now, he will be in our heart forever and will be sadly missed. Thank you all for the lovely messages, means a lot to us, always so proud of our Father.”

Paul Raison, Veterans Officer, The Parachute Regimental Association said, “Tom Schaffer was the epitome of a veteran of the Parachute Regiment from his era. Always cheerful and larger than life, he was a pleasure to be around. He will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him or had the good fortune to have met him.”

Dick Goodwin, Honorary Secretary, The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said, “I have had the pleasure of knowing Tom since 1998 and it was an honour. Tom was a regular on our charity trips, always accompanied by his great friend John ‘Pinky’ Pinkerton who also served with the Parachute Regiment. 

For many years he was part of our veteran collection team raising thousands for the charity he loved so much. A real character who was always smiling and joking. We always referred to him as the poster boy of the charity! He will be greatly missed by so many.”

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

🟦 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐁𝐄

Taxi Charity ambassador and Dutch advisor, Frans Ammerlaan, has been awarded an Honorary MBE by King Charles for services to commemorations and to British World War II veterans.

Frans Ammerlaan has had a long association with our veterans. He has a great interest in Operation Market Garden, an Allied military operation during the Second World War fought in the German-occupied Netherlands from 17 to 25 September 1944, and founded the Market Garden Foundation.

From his home in the Netherlands, Frans Ammerlaan has been working with the Taxi Charity since 2010. His advice and involvement in organising the charity's trips to the Netherlands for Dutch Liberation commemorations each May, and for Wandeltocht and Operation Market Garden each September since 2012 has been invaluable, and in 2023 he became a Taxi Charity ambassador. 

Frans was advised of his Honorary MBE by His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper GMG.

Joanna Roper said: "I am delighted that Frans Ammerlaan has been awarded an Honorary MBE by His Majesty King Charles III, in recognition of his support to the veterans of Operation Market Garden that took place 80 years ago. We must remember the sacrifices that were made in the name of peace and liberty. Frans’ long service to the veterans of the Battle of Arnhem helps to ensure that those sacrifices are not forgotten."

Taxi Charity Honorary Secretary, Dick Goodwin, who works closely with Frans Ammerlaan to plan trips for veterans to the Netherlands, said: "What fantastic news it is for Frans to be awarded an MBE for services to commemorations and World War II veterans. Frans has worked so hard for our veterans and it is down his enthusiasm, dedication and tireless efforts that our trips to the Netherlands since 2012 have been possible. Everyone at the charity is delighted and we are looking forward to celebrating his Honorary MBE when we visit the Netherlands in May for Dutch Liberation."

Geoff Roberts, a veteran of Operation Market Garden, said: "I am absolutely delighted that my great friend Frans Ammerlaan, who has done so much to support and remember those of us who participated in Operation Market Garden, has been made an MBE."

To find out more about the Market Garden Foundation, visit www.marketgarden.com/2010/UK/foundation.html.

About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only Forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment and arranges free trips (for veterans from all conflicts) to the Netherlands and France for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or social events across the UK. 

The charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers. In 2024, if funding allows, they will be taking a group of WWII veterans to Normandy for the 80thanniversary of D-Day.

 

To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is wholly reliant on donations, grants and sponsorship.

www.taxicharity.org