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Military Career / Activities
Following Officer Training, Paul was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport in 1971 on a 3-year Short Service Commission, that eventually lasted for some 34 years. During his service he completed numerous appointments in Transport, Logistics, Training, Officer Recruiting and Selection, Operations, Management Planning, Personnel Management and General Staff disciplines. He commanded 62 Transport and Movements Squadron in Berlin at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall and later commanded a Regiment in Belfast during “The Troubles”. He was promoted to Colonel in 1998 and was appointed to be Commander Logistics in Headquarters 4th Division. His final appointment 2000 – 2004 was as the Defence Attaché working for the British Ambassador in Dublin.
Following retirement in 2005 he was appointed to be the Director of Grants and Welfare for the Army’s national charity, the Army Benevolent Fund. He sat on the Inter-Parliamentary Gulf War Committee and the SSAFA Caseworking Policy Committee. During this time, he worked closely with the bereaved, and those casualties of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. He created a grant giving partnership (Quick Reaction Fund) with ‘Help for Heroes’ ensuring that immediate grants could be provided to those Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) in need of support. He was appointed to be a Trustee of the Army Widow’s Association, whom he guided to becoming a Registered Charity. He retired finally in 2014 and has since held several Service Charity Trustee appointments including Chair of Veterans Aid, a charity supporting homeless veterans across the country and Chair of Queen Mary Roehampton Trust, a grant-giving charity supporting War Pensioners and Secretary of Forces Pension Society Charitable Fund.
He moved to Ross-on-Wye in December 2019. Paul has been married to Fay, a former nurse for over 50 years and has 2 adult married children and 4 grandchildren. He is a member of Herefordshire Military Covenant Committee and was appointed Chair of Ross and District Branch of RBL in 2024.
Community
Paul is the DBS Lead for Ross Community Development Trust (Ross CDT) of which he is also a Trustee. In 2022 / 2023 he worked closely with Ross Town Council and St Mary’s Church to deliver several Jubilee and Coronation events for the Town, centred in and around St Mary’s Church. He is the coordinator for the Town’s Remembrance Events. He produced a D-Day tribute for the Town in St Mary’s Church. He is President of Ross Vaga Probus for 2024.
He is an enthusiastic member of St Mary’s PCC, and is the Benefice Treasurer. He is a Church Verger, a Local Worship Leader and Local Pastoral Visitor. He is an authorised Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteer and in 2024 was appointed to be the Chaplain to 1002 Squadron ATC. He is a qualified case worker for SSAFA Herefordshire. He is an enthusiastic photographer and a member of u3a in Ross.
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Military Career / Activities
After graduating with a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and working for Marconi Radar Systems Ltd, I joined the Royal Air Force as an Engineer Officer. After basic training, I undertook the Basic Aerosystems Course. Then, after an initial general aircraft tour, I specialised as an Armaments Officer. In the RAF, the world of explosives includes aircraft munitions, personal weapons, ejection seats, fire cartridges, unexploded ordnance and more. Not surprisingly, it is a highly regulated world and you are responsible for maintenance, storage, safety and security. In addition to being Station Armament Officer, I undertook various staff appointments involving policy development, technical & safety regulation, aircraft crash investigation and accident recovery involving hazardous material.
Civilian Career / Activities
After 16 years, the world, the RAF and my life had changed, so it was time to move on. I joined the MoD, initially working with the RAF but then with the Royal Navy and the submariners. By the time I left the MoD, I had over 22 years of experience in the world of safety, 13 years in explosives, 13 years in nuclear and 7 years undertaking technical & safety inspections. This led me to 8 years with a civilian company, supporting the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator.
My final ‘employment’ was self-employment as a Nordic Walking Instructor & Walk Leader.
Community
In addition to my role within our RBL Branch, I am a volunteer with the Friday Lunch Club and a member of both the Ross Reel Club and the Ross Folk Dance Club.
Goal as Vice Chair
To support the Chairman and help the Committee build the Branch into one big team that helps our Veterans, supports the town and has a lot of fun.
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