Badge of honour for services vets

PROUD moment . . . with their badges are, from left, Anthony Cooke, Ken Stonestreet, Ronald Murray, John Higgins and Tommy Buxton

Ex-serviceman Anthony Cooke likes to see his contemporaries get the recognition they deserve.

The former RAF driver, who now drives a bus in civilian life, has been instrumental in getting veterans’ badges for around 250 local servicemen.

Family and friends overseas have also benefited from badges after Mr Cooke’s intervention.

The self-styled campaigner of Hollins Road, said: “I just like to see the look on their faces when they receive the badge. They are really pleased.

“Ex-servicemen who have served from the First World War to the present day are all entitled to this badge.

The latest ex-serviceman to benefit is Ronald Murray (80) of Fold Green, Chadderton, who was in the merchant navy at the end of the Second World War.

He served in a troopship which carried soldiers and also prisoners of war to locations around Europe and the Far East.

He said: ‘I did not think I would be entitled to this badge, but I am very pleased that I have got it.”

Many of Mr Cooke’s contacts come via the Royal Oak pub in Union Street, Rhodes Bank, which has a strong tradition of welcoming ex-servicemen and their associations. Mr Cooke said: “On receipt of their HM Forces Veteran Badge, all I ask is for them to continue their much-needed support to the British Legion, SSAFA and their local forces association.”