Warwick’s historic home for veterans welcomes latest serviceman to its community
Warwick’s historic home for veterans has welcomed its latest serviceman to its community
Ian ‘Harry’ Harris has become the latest ‘Brother’ at Warwick’s Lord Leycester.
The collection of Medieval buildings that date back to the late 14th century is not only historically significant but has provided a home for military veterans continuously for more than 450 years.
Currently, some five ‘Brethren’ live on the site, as well as one wife, a resident veteran and the Master and his wife.
They are now joined by Brother Harry – who becomes the youngest member of the Brethren – along with his wife Gail.
Harry, 68, was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, from a military family before joining the RAF.
He served for 19 years as a ‘Duvet Stacker’ – the nickname for a supply chain specialist or storeman, and his service included time in the Ascension Islands during the Falklands War.
After leaving the forces, he went on to work for Ford and Vauxhall dealerships, which allowed him to put both his son and daughter through university.
He and wife Gail have spent three years living on a canal boat, but he said they are now delighted to embark on a new adventure at the Lord Leycester.
“As a boy I jumped from school to school, never staying anywhere longer than two years,” said Brother Harry. “Then I joined the RAF and spent nearly two decades in service.
“The military gave me plenty of memories – and it’s where I learned to fish, helped by the fact we spent six months on Ascension Island mainly fishing when we were left waiting for food resources, only for nothing to arrive.
“I still love fishing, as well as painting, and I’m pretty handy, which my fellow Brethren at the Lord Leycester tell me might come in useful.
“We’ve been made really welcome here and I’m looking forward to becoming part of this historic community that means so much to Warwick and the country as a whole.”
Originally built by the Guilds of Warwick in the late 14th century, the collection of medieval buildings that makes up the Lord Leycester was gifted by the Burgesses of Warwick to Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite courtier, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to establish a home for soldiers injured in the Tudor wars.
As a place that has provided a home for military veterans continuously for more than 450 years, with the current Brethren continuing that legacy, living within the buildings, welcoming visitors, leading tours and sharing their own military experiences, the Lord Leycester is believed to be one of the oldest veterans’ charities in the world.
Daren Bowyer, Master of the Lord Leycester, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Brother Harry to our number, and his arrival is a reminder that the Lord Leycester remains a home for veterans and not only a piece of history – but very much a piece of today’s military community.
“Our Brethren play a hugely significant role in what we do, and as well as sharing the Lord Leycester’s rich history, they each have their own stories to tell.
“We hope Brother Harry and his wife Gail will be as happy here as we all are, and we look forward to everyone meeting them when they visit.”