NORTH WEST ENGLAND - Mr. Stephen Overton

Committee Member Pen Pictures

Stephen Overton
Served for 30 years commissioned rank with the Gunners including Medium, Army Commando and Airborne Regiments following RMA Sandhurst training, before transferring to the RAPC/AGC. Experienced various General and Administrative/Finance Staff Appointments during his career. Following service, joined the Charitable Sector as Chief Executive & Secretary of a new International Samaritan Fund based in London before subsequently returning home to Cumbria to restore his family home and becoming the Royal British Legion County Field Officer for Cumbria & the Isle of Man devoting his time to the well being of the ex Service Family and concentrating on the welfare alleviation of hardship and need, fundraising for the same and media strategies to promote awareness, still continuing.

Philip Jones
Age 53, married with 2 “children” (ages 29 and 26).  Retired from the Regular Army in 1996 as a Major and started the next day as a Captain, full time Permanent Staff Admin Officer (PSAO).  He is due to retire from this job at age 60.  Total Army service to date is 34 years and 1 month.

Marie Cumming
Retired in 1994 having enjoyed a teaching career of 30 years.  During her career completed a tour of service with BA0R and in 1995 one year after retiring, became a caseworker with SSAFA Forces Help, Liverpool Branch, Liverpool Division.  This seemed to be the obvious charity to which to offer her services and hopefully to make a valuable contribution to its work.

Besides carrying out casework for SSAFA,  am also a member of the Appeals Committee, Merseyside endeavouring to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

Served on the North West War Pensions Committee (NW WPC) since 2000 and consider this to be a natural extension working with SSAFA Forces Help.

The work with SSAFA and serving on the NWWPC is extremely worthwhile and rewarding and enables Marie to work with like minded people who contribute to the well being of those both still serving and ex-service, War Disablement Pensioners and War Widow(er)s

Brian Grimshaw
Born in Blackburn, Lancashire.  Served a full career in the Royal Air Force as a Supply and Movements Officer and retired in 1976.  Spent 15 years with British Aerospace 1976 – 1991 in Saudi Arabia as Logistics Supply Manager.  From 1994 to the present date has been a War Pensions Consultant for the Royal Air Force Association Northern Area, assisting/representing ex RAF and Commonwealth Air Forces personnel at War Pensions tribunals.  He is also a member of the Institute of Management.

J. Peter Farmer
Joined the Royal medical Corps straight from school at the age of eighteen serving in military hospitals and other service medical establishments for the duration of his career.  He rose steadily through the ranks until leaving service in April 1982 after reaching the rank of Major.  During service learned the trades army trained nurse, dispenser and technical stores officer.  Completed service in Germany, the Middle East and the Far East.  During his career had two spells as a Commanding Officer.  Left the service with three nationally recognised professional qualifications. 

After leaving the forces worked for a London based Health Authority for five years and then for the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for a further eleven years.

Even though he retired in 1999 still working, almost full time.  Entered local politics in 1996 and was elected to Carlisle City Council in 1999 and at present, the Mayor of Carlisle.  Actively involved in the British legion where he is a Welfare Officer.  Also involved with several community-based organisations in the city.  Presently waiting to see whether he has been elected as a Governor of the Mental Health Trust (already a member of the Trust). In addition Governor at two local schools.

In brief moments of spare time enjoys reading, watching sport and steam railways.  He also enjoys visiting historic buildings (my wife and I are members of English Heritage) and eating out.  On the whole enjoys a very busy and active life.

Michael Bagan
He is 53 years old and married.  Served for ten years in the Territorial Army mainly with the Liverpool Scottish part of One Five Highland Division.

Works as a longstanding volunteer advisor and a Tribunal representative with Knowsley Citizens Advice in Liverpool and also a member of the NW regional committee of the national CAB.

Secretary of his local cricket club and enjoys playing crown green bowls.

Eric Pitchforth
Served as a British Regular Army Officer for 37 years until retiring in 1998. On leaving the Army  took up an appointment as an Area Welfare Officer with the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association and looks after the welfare of the BLESMA members and widows in NW England, N Wales and Ireland. Has been a member of the NWWPC for 8 years and his hobbies are boating, fishing and horse racing.

Carol Henderson

Martin Watkins
Served firstly with the Royal Navy and secondly with the Royal Air Force for 27 years. Retired 1993 in the rank of Wing Commander. Also he is a war pensioner.

For the past 6 years, has been the County Field Officer for the Royal British Legion County of Greater Manchester, based in Manchester City Centre where he is responsible for the delivery of the Legion’s welfare programmes and benevolence. Has additional responsibility for raising funds for the annual Poppy Appeal for membership matters and Legion Clubs matters.

Lives with his wife Carol in Wilmslow, Cheshire and his interests are fishing, music and sweetheart brooches.

John Eric Williamson
After serving in the Cheshire Regiment joined the Royal British Legion. Serves in many capacities at Branch, County Area and National levels. He is a registered caseworker and makes many domiciliary visits.

John Kiely
Completed 40 years in the regular Army and Territorial Army, initially in the Royal Army Pay Corps and then the Adjutants General Corps. Vice President SSAFA Forces Help Lancashire and Treasurer Lancashire Army Benevolent Fund.

James Partington
Retired public service accountant having worked for the National Coal Board, Local Government and the Health Service. Military service included 2 years National Service in the Infantry and 40 years Territorial and Reserve Army service.

Eddy Dixon
Appointed to the North West War Pensions Committee 12/1995, previously a member of the Cumberland and Westmorland Committee.
A trustee of the Royal British Legion and have served as a Trustee for 8 years.
Served for 4 years as Chairman of Welfare and Benevolence and at present Chairman Membership Council of TRBL.
A welfare case worker since 1981. Committee member of the TRBL Welfare Break Centre in Southport (Byng House).

If you wish to contact the North West WPC, please click here