27 June 2025
‘Boss, if anything happens to me, there’s a letter for my missus back in my locker in camp. You’ll make sure she gets it?’
‘Nothing is going to happen to you. You’ll be telling your grandkids about this.’
‘Right boss, yeah, but if it does, you’ll make sure she gets it?’
‘Yes, I will.’
This is just one of the many conversations from my time in the British Army that is seared into my mind forever.
One night, in Afghanistan, my rifle company was forced to shelter under what we called ‘Certain Death Hill’ – a huge hill that would have made us sitting ducks for the Taliban. That was the only option available to us.
Fortunately, we all survived, and my courageous soldier’s letter didn’t have to leave his locker.
I’ll be thinking of him, and all the other men and women I served with in the Army, when we celebrate Armed Forces Day tomorrow.
They are – and, tragically in some cases, they were – the very best of us.
Armed Forces Day gives us the opportunity to support and celebrate those who serve, those who have served, and also their families – who sacrifice so much to support them.
Our service personnel risk their lives to defend our country and keep us from harm. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
The Government’s recent Strategic Defence Review found a pressing need to reconnect Britain with serving personnel, and to deepen society’s knowledge about the Armed Forces.
That’s why it’s great to see that the Labour Government is making Armed Forces Day bigger and better than ever before, strengthening the bond between our Forces community and society.
I’m proud that we’re bringing back the National Event, which will be held in Cleethorpes this year, an area with strong military links and a rich tradition of honouring our Armed Forces.
I’m also proud of what we’ve delivered for service personnel in just 11 months in office. Last year, we rewarded their service with their largest pay rise in over 20 years, and we gave them another inflation-busting pay rise this year.
We’re bringing military housing back into public hands, buying back 36,000 military homes, and investing more than £7 billion on military accommodation.
We’re setting up our new VALOUR system to ensure veterans find it easier to access support on housing, employment, and health services. This month we’ve launched the search for the UK’s first ever Armed Forces Commissioner, who will be an independent champion for serving personnel and their families.
I know that these measures will make a big difference to both veterans and current service personnel – including those here in Barnsley.
Our town has a rich tradition of honouring our Armed Forces: Barnsley held its own Armed Forces Day event last week, and a service for the national celebration will take place tomorrow at 10am at the Town Hall.
I hope you’ll join me in paying tribute – and celebrating – all our service personnel, past and present.