Veterans Month

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Veterans Month Begins March 4th each year.
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The Veterans Charity are proud to introduce Veterans Month, which brings a chance to celebrate, commemorate & educate about the UK & Commonwealth Veterans & their amazing achievements in their military & or civilian careers.

Before his name became a global fashion brand, Ralph Lauren served in the U.S. Army.Born on this day, 14 October 1939, i...
14/10/2026

Before his name became a global fashion brand, Ralph Lauren served in the U.S. Army.

Born on this day, 14 October 1939, in New York, Lauren served from 1962 to 1964.

His time in uniform became part of the background to his later work. His company’s own history describes how Army service helped develop his eye for military detail, an influence visible in his use of khaki and practical clothing.

He went on to build one of the world’s most recognisable fashion businesses, with the Polo Ralph Lauren name and its distinctive emblem becoming familiar far beyond the United States.

It is another example of a veteran whose civilian career took him into a field very different from military life.

Today, The Veterans Charity marks Ralph Lauren’s birthday and recognises the Army service that came before the famous brand.

We wonder if he can redesign our clothing range?

Just a thought...

Happy birthday and thank you for our service.

Before becoming James Bond, Roger Moore served as an officer in the British Army.Born on this day, 14 October 1927, in S...
14/10/2026

Before becoming James Bond, Roger Moore served as an officer in the British Army.

Born on this day, 14 October 1927, in Stockwell, London, Moore was called up for military service after the Second World War.

Commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps in September 1946, he served in occupied Germany and rose to the rank of captain.

His duties included work with Combined Services Entertainment, looking after entertainers travelling through Hamburg to perform for members of the Armed Forces.

His later career made him one of Britain’s most recognisable actors: Simon Templar in The Saint, Lord Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! and James Bond in seven films, from Live and Let Die to A View to a Kill.

Beyond the screen, his longstanding work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador reflected a commitment to helping children around the world.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Sir Roger Moore’s Army service alongside his achievements as an actor and humanitarian.

Behind the famous raised eyebrow was a veteran with an earlier chapter in uniform.

We leave the final words to Sir Roger:

"You can either grow old gracefully or begrudgingly. I chose both."

On 6 June 1944, Allied forces crossed the Channel to begin the liberation of Western Europe. The responsibility for thei...
14/10/2026

On 6 June 1944, Allied forces crossed the Channel to begin the liberation of Western Europe. The responsibility for their overall command rested with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Born on this day, 14 October 1890, in Denison, Texas, “Ike” graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point in 1915 and began a military career that would place him at the centre of the Allied war effort.

During the Second World War, he commanded Allied forces in North Africa before becoming Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

For D-Day, his task was to bring together the armies, navies and air forces of several nations in a vast combined operation.

Its success depended on cooperation, preparation and the courage of those carrying out the plan. The second image below, shows him inspecting US Army troops on the Cornish Pirates Rugby Football Club pitch in 1944, one of his many visits to military personnel preparing for the Longest Day.

Eisenhower continued to lead the Allied campaign in Western Europe until Germany’s surrender in May 1945. He reached the five-star rank of General of the Army and later became the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO.

Before serving as US President, he had devoted decades to military service.

Today, The Veterans Charity team remembers Dwight D. Eisenhower’s leadership and the Allied personnel whose service and sacrifice helped secure victory.

Before becoming one of America’s most influential comedians, Lenny Bruce served in the United States Navy.Born on this d...
13/10/2026

Before becoming one of America’s most influential comedians, Lenny Bruce served in the United States Navy.

Born on this day, 13 October 1925, as Leonard Alfred Schneider, he joined the Navy aged 16 during the Second World War.

Serving aboard the cruiser USS Brooklyn, he saw active service in North Africa and Italy.

After returning to civilian life, Bruce built a comedy career that challenged conventions and addressed subjects many performers avoided. His satire examined prejudice, hypocrisy and the boundaries of free speech.

His influence reached far beyond his own performances. His life later became the subject of the film Lenny, starring Dustin Hoffman.

Behind the comedian was an earlier chapter at sea, serving during one of the defining conflicts of the twentieth century.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Lenny Bruce’s naval service alongside his lasting influence on comedy.



Fittingly today is also the US Navy official birthday, so a double celebration.

Before becoming one of Cornwall’s best-known artists, Terry Frost served as a commando and endured four years as a priso...
13/10/2026

Before becoming one of Cornwall’s best-known artists, Terry Frost served as a commando and endured four years as a prisoner of war.

Born on this day, 13 October 1915, in Leamington Spa, Frost joined the Territorial Army in 1933.

He served with the Warwickshire Yeomanry and later the Middle East Commandos. Captured in Crete in 1941, he remained a prisoner until liberation in 1945.

During captivity, fellow prisoner and artist Adrian Heath encouraged him to draw and paint. Amid hunger, confinement and uncertainty, Frost began developing the artistic interest that would shape his future.

After the war, he studied at the St Ives School of Painting and became a leading figure in British abstract art.

His strong connections to St Ives and Newlyn make his story particularly meaningful here in Cornwall. The light, colour and shapes of the Cornish coast became central to his work.

Knighted for services to art and education, Sir Terry left a lasting cultural legacy.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers the soldier and former prisoner of war behind the paintings, and celebrates his remarkable contribution to Cornwall’s artistic life.

He was already an established composer when he volunteered to serve, aged 42.Born on this day, 12 October 1872, Ralph Va...
12/10/2026

He was already an established composer when he volunteered to serve, aged 42.

Born on this day, 12 October 1872, Ralph Vaughan Williams created some of Britain’s best-loved music, including The Lark Ascending and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.

On New Year’s Eve 1914, he enlisted as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Serving with the 2/4th London Field Ambulance, he helped evacuate wounded soldiers in France, working across ground devastated by shellfire. His unit later moved to Salonika.

In 1917, he was commissioned into the Royal Garrison Artillery and returned to France the following year. After the Armistice, he became Director of Music for the First Army before being demobilised in February 1919.

Behind music so often associated with peace and the English countryside stood a man who had experienced the suffering of war.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Ralph Vaughan Williams’s military service alongside the musical legacy that continues to move generations.

Before lifting the World Cup, Bobby Charlton served in the British Army.Born on this day, 11 October 1937, in Ashington,...
11/10/2026

Before lifting the World Cup, Bobby Charlton served in the British Army.

Born on this day, 11 October 1937, in Ashington, Northumberland, Charlton became one of the greatest names in English football.

Alongside the early years of his Manchester United career, he completed National Service with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, based in Shrewsbury.

He continued playing for United at weekends and also represented the British Army football team. Fellow United player Duncan Edwards served alongside him.

A survivor of the 1958 Munich air disaster, Charlton helped rebuild Manchester United and went on to win the European Cup with the club in 1968.

Two years earlier, he had helped England win the 1966 World Cup, securing his place in sporting history.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Sir Bobby Charlton’s Army service alongside his remarkable footballing legacy.

A national sporting hero, and a veteran whose time in uniform deserves to be remembered too.

Olympic gold medallist. Tuskegee Airman. Veteran of two wars.Born on this day, 11 October 1924, Mal Whitfield combined a...
11/10/2026

Olympic gold medallist. Tuskegee Airman. Veteran of two wars.

Born on this day, 11 October 1924, Mal Whitfield combined an extraordinary athletics career with military service.

Known as “Marvelous Mal”, he served in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose service helped challenge racial barriers in American military aviation.

At the 1948 London Olympics, Whitfield won gold in both the 800 metres and the 4 × 400 metres relay.

He later served in the US Air Force during the Korean War, maintaining his fitness by training on airstrips between missions.

At Helsinki in 1952, he successfully defended his Olympic 800 metres title, bringing his career total to three Olympic gold medals.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Mal Whitfield’s military service and sporting achievements, recognising a life that crossed the worlds of aviation, athletics and international friendship.

The man who helped create Captain America also served his country in uniform.Born on this day, 11 October 1913, Joe Simo...
11/10/2026

The man who helped create Captain America also served his country in uniform.

Born on this day, 11 October 1913, Joe Simon was a comic book writer, artist and editor who, alongside Jack Kirby, created one of the world’s most recognisable superheroes.

Captain America first appeared in 1941, before the United States entered the Second World War.

During the war, Simon served in the U.S. Coast Guard, bringing his artistic skills to work that publicised the service and its people.

His contribution to comics reached generations of readers. Captain America’s shield became familiar around the world, but the military service of his co-creator is a less widely known part of the story.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Joe Simon’s service and the creative legacy that continues to inspire audiences and a character well known through the Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios franchises.

Before becoming the voice of Formula One, Murray Walker commanded a Sherman tank.Born on this day, 10 October 1923, in B...
10/10/2026

Before becoming the voice of Formula One, Murray Walker commanded a Sherman tank.

Born on this day, 10 October 1923, in Birmingham, Walker served in the British Army during the Second World War.

After training at Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Scots Greys. He fought in the Battle of the Reichswald and left the Army in 1946 with the rank of captain.

His later career brought a very different kind of speed, noise and pressure.

For generations of motorsport fans, Murray’s unmistakable voice, infectious enthusiasm and memorable turns of phrase became part of the excitement of race day.

He helped audiences understand the action while sharing their delight, disappointment and suspense. His warmth made him loved far beyond the commentary box.

Today, The Veterans Charity remembers Murray Walker’s wartime service alongside the broadcasting career that made him a household name.

From tank commander to commentator, his was a remarkable life.

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