The Selfless Infantier
Below is another poem that has been sent to us by Mark Christmas, it is about the day of Richards funeral.
‘The Selfless Infantier’
Tolling noon on an August Day
the cast dome struck forth, a call
for a gathering of grief. Summoning a
silence which was heard throughout
the land as time ceased it’s meaning.
A patriotic symbol draped the
final carriage as comrades held
him aloft in a dutiful acknowledgement
of his sacrifice. Old warriors lowered
fluttering standards in salutation.
Homogeneous bearers worked in unison.
The sharpness of hobnails in time
as the choir gave voice to the ‘Men
of Harlech’, from then to now. The
stone floor eased the salt from drying tears,
And if salt were still currency, today was
paid for, ten fold. The procession halted
in front of the altar, a place for all
occasions, though today was a premature
gathering, for the warrior.
Brothers and friends stood and evoked
stories of him, his quintessence filled
the air, a reverberation of
solemnity echoed the silence. Minds
held memories of his; ‘Amazing Character’,
He was dependable, loyal and wise,
a bright enthusiastic youth. Adjectives
of one that had passed scribed for time
on the pathways which he trod
with each of those, gathered today.
Each person had a dedication for him;
the young man, whose shyness masked
the bravado. The Selfless Infantier’.
‘Masel tov’, was hailed to send him
on the path of the wandering soldier.
Today, a small border town felt the
pain of war waged a life time away.
Today people joined in the celebration
of a life but the mourning caressed
the very souls of all fellow countrymen.
When the families and media had
finally laid you to rest, I took
a repose, I sat with you and
drew the scent from the cream and
violet swathe, now laid over you.
Pride was felt in equidistance, snipers
had paid homage, Great Aunt Muriel
harboured her feelings but acknowledged
them to you. You were the focus, a milestone
though one that should never have been reached.
Your physicality now placed in view of
Ty’r Pwll while the pool falls still in your
tribute. The schoolyard no longer echoes with
your joyful cries and sound of running
feet. Today reflection is the order.
This final journey which started
in the distant, dusty, sun scorched land
has ended in the fertile, brown earth
of your homeland. We salute you
‘Welsh Warrior’.
Cliché suggests; ‘Only the good, die
young’ and ‘fame comes after one’s
death’. However, the World is a poorer place
as you meet both these criteria Richard.
Rest in Peace, Brave Soldier.
For Private Richard Hunt
200th Casualty of the War in
Afghanistan death family’s tribute to fallen soldier
Below is a story that is in todays South Wales Argus
FAMILY and friends of Abergavenny soldier Private Richard Hunt raised more than £10,000 for army charities his memory in just ten weeks since his death.
Private Richard Hunt was the 200th soldier to die from fighting in Afghanistan.
He died aged 21 after being wounded in an explosion while on a vehicle patrol near Musa Qala in Helmand Province.
But since his death on August 13, his family and friends have vowed to do what they can to help other soldiers and their families.
Through donations, fundraisers and even by placing Help for Heroes collection boxes in local shops, Pte Hunt’s family and friends have raised between £10,000 and £11,000.
£7,000 of this has already gone to Help for Heroes, £1,700 to the Royal British Legion and £500 to the Royal Welsh troops currently in Afghanistan.
Pte Hunt’s mother Hazel Hunt said more money has been received on top of this increasing the total to what she estimates to be more than £10,000.
With the help of other trustees, all of whom are either friends or family members of Pte Hunt, Mrs Hunt has set up The Richard Hunt Foundation which they are in the process of establishing as a non-profitable charity.
This will be launched at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny on November 27 and local businesses have been invited in the hope of them becoming sponsors of the charity.
The foundation has also written to Welsh personalities from the military, rugby and music worlds asking them to become patrons of the charity.
The aim of the foundation is to help individual soldiers attached to the Welsh regiments who come back psychologically or physically injured and to help them readjust.
Mrs Hunt said: “A lot of families struggle to help with equipment or making sure they get the right treatment . If we can’t help them we can point them in the right direction of people who can.”
Mrs Hunt said they are hoping to hold two or three major fundraising events per year and are already in discussions with Monmouthshire county council about holding a family fun day at Bailey Park in Abergavenny in May.
A charity music event is also planned for the Market Tavern in Abergavenny in January.
One of the foundation’s long-term aims is to set up an outdoor activities centre at the family’s home in Abergavenny which could be used by Welsh troops when coming back from their tours of duty.
Mrs Hunt said work with the Foundation is helping to keep her focused but that she has “up and down days”.
The Abandonded Soldier
The Abandoned Soldier
A youthful face
With innocent cares,
Wide eyed child
With infant stares.
The child grew up
Played soldier games,
With sticks for guns
Pretending to maim.
Young boy left school
Sought to be a man,
To render peace
In Afghanistan.
But all too soon
The decision made,
Some years of his life
With the Army he’d trade.
Once training done
And off he flew,
To fight a war
In pastures new.
Soon a mortar attack,
Killed, outright four,
But ‘lucky’ for him
He was blown to the floor.
Though injuries sustained
Were incidental,
Not so physical
More like mental.
The cuts and bruises
Would heal away,
But the mental scars
With him they’d stay.
The career he’d wanted
As a child,
Became a curse
It drove him wild.
With visions of battle
That never would end,
He’d witnessed the death
Of his closest friend.
So he had to leave
The new family he trusted
With a broken head,
Psychologically busted.
He hoped they’d help
To resettle him.
Instead discarded,
Thrown in a bin.
Abandoned and left
To his own devices,
Thoughts of suicide
And similar vices.
So look what has happened
There is no one bolder
Than the man we call,
‘The Abandoned Soldier’.
Who fought for his Country
Over hundreds of years,
Did not die,
but is left,
With a wounded man’s tears.
© Mark Christmas
Poem above sent to us by Mark Christmas.
Charity Launch
We shall be officaly launching the The Richard Hunt Foundation at a launch party to be held at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny.
Hallam University Phil Laing
Below is the transcript of an email sent to Hallam University Sheffield following the press story regarding one of there students namely Phil Laing and his total disrespect for the service persons who have surrendered their lives so we can live in the way we do today. As you are probably aware Phil Laing was caught on camera urinating on a war memorial, this has caused a national outcry at this vile behavior by a so called educated person. We contacted the university with the following email.
As Trustee of the Richard Hunt Foundation and daughter of a WW2 Veteran, I am emailing you to show my utter disgust in your student Phil Laing's behaviour.
I also suggest that you make an example of this pond life and expel him from his course, along with his friends who also find his sickening actions humorous.
The University today responded with the following email.
Dear Ms. Rogers,
Thank you for your comments.
Whilst the University is not responsible for the actions of individual students, we do not condone this student's behaviour in any way.
The University has a rigorous disciplinary procedure in place. In cases where there are also criminal proceedings, we follow national guidelines and do not hold disciplinary hearings until the criminal case has been concluded. However, we have started the disciplinary process for this student.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the actions of this one student do not represent Hallam's 30,000 strong student community. We work closely with the Students' Union, City Council, police and other community organisations all year, in order to promote good community relations and safe drinking.
Lorna Branton
Head of External Communications
Lets hope that this is not just lip service and they do use every power they have to banish Phil Laing from his studies at Hallam University.
A poem to remember the brave heroes
Today the Richard hunt Foundation recieved this poem from David Butler, he has kindly agreed to let us post it here and on our site.
Thank you so much for such kind words.
Not Forgot
Are our sons forgotten,
Or will they ever be
Have lives been wasted,
For peace we'll never see
Loved one's still to die
And those who went before
Will live within our hearts
As our hero's evermore
Men who bravely answer
This their country,s call.
Even in their time of death
Stand so proud and tall.
A man was once a boy
And when his day is done
Still his fathers pride and joy
And still his mothers son
Forgotten they will never be
By loved ones they left behind.
A promise that we make to you
Their Names upon our lips you'll find
Not just on one sad Sunday
In November cold and bleak
But every hour of every day
And every day of every week
Why did my son die?
On Monday evening ITV showed a documentary following Richard's mother Hazel. The mother of the 200th UK soldier to die in Afghanistan investigates whether enough is being done to protect our troops on the battlefield, and what care is offered to the injured.
During the making of the documentary there were other pertinent questions asked by Hazel but the powers to be did not want these aired, we are looking into whether we can air these to the public domain or not. The film is linked to below take 30 minutes to watch as Hazel asks the questions we all want answers to.
http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Video/default.html?ViewType=5&Filter=104033
Following The Injured
Documentary on BBC One.
Documentary following the journey of two injured soldiers: 19-year-old Ranger Andy Allen who, in July 2008, had his right leg blown off and his eyes badly burnt by an improvised explosive device; and 24-year-old Lance Corporal Tom Neathway, who lost three limbs after moving a booby-trapped sandbag.
Hopefully this documentary will raise the public awareness of the injured and often forgotten service men and women returning from active service.
Help For Heroes Funds Raised
Funds Raised
In four weeks of fundraising we have raised over Ten Thousand Pounds for Help For Heroes. We shall continue raising funds for this very worthwhile charity along with raising funds for The Richard Hunt Foundation as well.
The sum of money raised in such a shortwhile is a fantastic effort and shows that people have a respect for our wounded heroes.
The fundraising continues this weekend with a 3 legged dressed as bunnies walk up The Sugar Loaf (Mynydd Pen-y-Fal) . Fee and Rhi being the 3 legged bunny.
Pop along and cheer the girls on. All good luck messages and comments welcome both here and on the www.facebook.com/therichardhuntfoundation.
We also have a forum on the website www.welshwarrior.co.ul/forum
The Hidden Injured Figures!
When we created The Richard Hunt Foundation site the following figures were added
113 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
134 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
Since then the following figures are available if you dig deep and search.
122 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
143 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
Thats 9 more very seriously and 9 more seriously injured.
We do not see these figures in the press or on the media, we shall continue to release these figures as we find them.