SOUTH EAST ENGLAND - Mr David Wright *

David Wright – Chairman South East War Pensioners Committee
David Wright served 24 years in the Light Infantry, initially with 1 KSLI and then 3 LI.   He served in U.K., Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and Northern Ireland.   He retired from the Army in 1987 having attained the rank of Warrant Officer.   He was employed by The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association.   He worked in the Community Health and Social Services Department and was responsible for recruitment and retention of Health Visitors, Midwives and Social Workers working within the Armed Forces worldwide.   He left SSAFA-FH in 1997 to work as the War Pensions Manager for the Royal Air Forces Association, since when he has been closely involved in promoting the welfare and support required by War pensioners and their dependants.   He leads RAFA’s advice and advocacy service and is responsible for training volunteer welfare officers within the Association.  He was appointed Chairman of the South East War Pensioners Committee in 2003.

John Wilkes 
Served in Royal Engineers 1950-1986
Service Pensioner 1986-1994
Civil Servant since 1995
Caseworker SSAFA Forces Help Gravesham Division
Past Secretary/Chairman of Kent Branch SSAFA
Past member of Kent WPC, now SEWPC since 1997

John McLennan
Lt Col John McLennan has been the Controller of the Royal Engineers Association for eight years having retired from the serving Corps after 32 years in uniform. He served in the Far East, Aden, Canada and Germany and now very much enjoys the benevolence work carried on behalf of the Corps along with contributing to the welfare committees helping the services and forces sector”

Patrick A Lawrence
Patrick A Lawrence began his National Service in 1950 as a Sapper, completed it in the Rank of 2Lt RAMC (non-medical), transferred first to an AER Field Ambulance, then General Hospital before moving to TA.  He trained in Medicine in London.
Over a further 40 years as a Volunteer Medical Officer, he served in TA Field Ambulances and Field Hospitals, acting as 2i/c 219 Fd Hosp. Whilst his TA service was largely at home, overseas Exercises and Attachments provided experience in Hot/Dry and Hot/Wet climates. 
Interspersed between RAMC Unit postings were satisfying periods as RMO to 4/5 Royal Hamps, Oxf.Bucks Lt. Infy and 4th & 5th Royal Green Jackets, when he was a regular member of the Battalion Rifle Teams.  In the last large TA Rifle Meeting, he was the top Rifle Shot at Bisley. 
His length of service has been recognised by the award of the Territorial Decoration & the TAVR Decoration, with Bars.  He finished his TA service on reaching retirement age in the rank of Lt/Colonel.
Post retirement, he continues active involvement with The Rifles Oxford Club, is a member of SSAFA Oxfordshire Fund-Raising Committee and has served thirteen years in various local War Pensions Committees.  The current committee is South East, of which he has been Vice Chairman for four years.
Special interests include offering medical advice to the SEWPC, promulgating Priority Treatment for War Pensioners and monitoring the Casualty Evacuation process through RAF Brize Norton. 

John Regan OBE
John Regan served for 33 years in the Intelligence Corps, Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Logistic Corps.  Having left the Army in 1993 became the County Field Officer for The Royal British Legion in Berkshire and The Vale of the White Horse, responsible for all aspects of RBL work within the County.  Married with two daughters, one a manager for a medical company and the other a Lt Comd in the Australian Navy. 
Interests include theatre and travel.  Intends to emigrate to Australia in 2008.

Malcolm Bellwood
55yr old Married man who lives in Aldershot in Hampshire. Grown up children one of whom is a son currently serving in the Royal Navy.

Malcolm trained as a psychiatric nurse in his native Yorkshire prior to joining the Army in 1983 and serving 20 years with the Army Medical Services. During this time he served in the UK, Germany and the 1991 Gulf Conflict.

Retired from the Army he now is a Director of Combat Stress, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society.

Socially he enjoys offshore sailing, as a qualified Yacht master he spends most of his leisure time at sea with friends.

Canon Peter BRUINVELS
Canon Peter BRUINVELS is a Governor of The Church Commissioners, serving also on its Pastoral and Management Advisory Committees. Member of General Synod since 1985. Vice President and Chairman of The House of Laity of Guildford Diocesan Synod since 2003. He serves on The House of Bishops Clergy Discipline (Doctrine) Group; The AC Board of Education; Cathedral Fabrics Commission for England and Dearing Implementation Group, as well as The Legislative Committee. He is Chairman of Governors of a Church School, as well as Chairman of Surrey SOC. An Ofsted RE Inspector. Governor: York St John University and Court Member: Sussex University.Peter BRUINVELS was formerly MP for LEICESTER EAST during the 1980s
Outside the Church, Peter is County Field Officer (CEO) Surrey for The Royal British Legion handling the annual Poppy Appeal (£800k raised in 2006) and Welfare, as well as being a former Non-Executive Director of East Elmbridge & Mid-Surrey PCT. He has also chaired NHS Complaints against Doctors, Hospitals and Nurses.
He is a Member of SE War Pensions Committee. Peter is married to Alison and they have two daughters - Alexandra(21) and Georgina(18). They live in Dorking.

Paul Mumford
Having served in REME for twelve years  I  was medically discharged long before I was ready to cease serving my country.  After a period of research in gun design I exhausted my currency in the job market and have found myself trying to make a contribution to the ex-service community.'

Ros Campbell
Married Duncan 1963.  Two daughters, one married to a serving RN WO.  Duncan died in 1995.
Became Secretary of the War Widows' Association in 2001.
Hotel Accountant at The Goring, London since 1986,  retiring end of August 2007.  Looking forward to retirement!

Madlaine Dunne
I was widowed in 1976,( my husband dying in active service) before that I worked in both Public relation and Personnel, and hotel management abroad, and at one time ran my own business.

I have been involved with the War Widows in Hampshire since 1996 and also look after the Portsmouth War Widows, arranging things for them, and helping them in anyway that's needed.

I have two children who are now grown up.
Also am animal mad, have two cats and a dog, travel when possible, and read when I find time.

Lyn Gannon
Joined the WRNS July 1976.  Invalided from the RN as a Chief Wren in 2000 - a current War Pensioner (back and knee injuries).

Commenced work at the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust as the Personal Assistant in 2000, and became the Executive Assistant in 2003, responsible for Public Relations and all event organisation as well as the normal secretarial work/Executive Committee meetings.

Married to Mick (ex Army), and live in Fareham, Hants. 
Hobbies include Sign language, travel and pets (dogs).

David Dunks
"I became a member of the war pensions committee after a career in business, having qualified some years ago as an accountant and company secretary.    Business opportunities ranged from an accountancy firm to agricultural  pest control to office supplies to precious metal refining and finally to water supply.   These various positions initially involved poring over financial ledgers but eventually lead to a life in general management.
At the age of 18 my business aspirations were put on hold for two years national service with the RAF.   Apart from that sojourn I had to wait until retirement in 1995 offered more leisure time, but immediately certain trusts and charities sought to fill any gaps that might have existed.   Recently the interest in the air force developed during national service has lead me to join RAFA and the local branch fund raising and welfare activity.
My wife and I live in a village between Folkestone and Canterbury.  Sport has always been a major influence in my life and as a family we are members of the Kent County Cricket Club and a weekly round of golf provides my main exercise. Also enjoy the theatre, reading and eating out."

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) M P Bray
Mike Bray served in the Royal Corps of Transport and The Royal Logistic Corps for 33 years including tours in Germany, Hong Kong, the United Nations Force in Cyprus and some time in the Ministry of Defence.  He then worked in the Defence industry before becoming responsible for benevolence and welfare for The Royal Logistic Corps Association.
He lives in Effingham Surrey and is involved with local charities and the Parish community.  He is registered as a caseworker with the Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help.   He is married with two grown up children and lists his interests as tennis, walking and supervised gardening."

John Kemp MBE
Profession :-   Mechanical Engineer
Service:
REME 1952  -  1977.  TA  1977 – 1987 Rank Major
BAOR and  Caribbean , Persian Gulf, Far East and UK 
Civillian Employment:-
Non Executive Director NHS 
Chairman South East Community Health Council.
Currently
Executive Member Ashford Borough Council
Governor two schools in Ashford
Chairman of Parochial Charities Kennington
Personal
Widower. 2 children both professionals
Awarded MBE for Community Work with Youth
Hobbies
Cooking, Gardening, War Graves research, Writing, Travel.

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