War veterans recount battlefield horrors in this year’s Poppy Appeal – but there’s a twist
HAUNTING video showing hero veterans reliving their war horrors are being used to urge people to support the 2016 Poppy Appeal - but there is a moving twist.
Several one-minute videos by the Royal British Legion show older veterans, dressed in uniform and struggling to maintain composure, as they recount a story of war.
But it is only when the memory has been told that the viewer finds out it does not belong to the veteran speaking but instead a younger veteran who has fought for their country in a recent war.
The Poppy Day campaign then urges viewers to "rethink Remembrance" and to get behind a new generation of veterans - whether they be soldiers, nurses or volunteers.
"For many people, Remembrance is associated with the fallen of the First and Second World Wars," the campaign says.
"While we will always remember them, the Legion wants to raise awareness of a new generation of veterans and Service personnel that need our support."
Issues of mental health and post traumatic stress are featured, with one video telling the story of Stewart Harris, 32, a British Army veteran who struggled to find a reason to live, despite having a loving family around him. He was diagnosed with mental illness in 2012.
His heart-wrenching video, titled "I was taught that soldiers don’t discuss feelings" is told through the voice of Roy Miller, a 92-year-old Royal Navy Veteran from World War Two.
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Another video is narrated by Masie Taylor, a 97-year-old Royal Navy veteran. She tells the story of Ben Poku, 34, a British Army nurse and Royal Bristish Legion volunteer, who nursed a friend and severely burned soldier back to health.
"At first, I didn't recognise him," the story tells.
"A few years before, we were best friends in the playground."
British Army veteran Geoff Pattinson, 92, tells Sam Jack's story. The 29-year-old suffered a severe brain injury after he was blown up by a mine.
Another video tells the story of Anna Pollock, 34, an RAF veteran who is now wheelchair-bound after being paralysed in 2013.
Her story is told by Jim Radford, an 88-year-old Royal Navy veteran.
Donations can be made to the Poppy Appeal at
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