On 26th March members of our group joined others for a candlelight service at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey, to remember a special local veteran and a promote a cause he fought for over many years.
Micheal Lyons served in the East Surrey Regiment and the Parachute Regiment for 7 years, with deployments to Egypt, Cyprus and Malta. He was a member of the Royal British Legion for more than 30 years and chair of the New Addington Branch.
Michael led a high-profile campaign with the Royal British Legion that aimed to honour 26 servicemen from WWI who suffered from PTSD, were institutionalized at Cane Hill Asylum and buried in mass, unmarked graves. These men were unfairly stigmatised and branded as cowards, their sacrifices erased from history. Michael fought for a memorial at Croydon Crematorium to ensure their names would never be forgotten. That memorial was unveiled in 2016.
One of our group members introduced Natasha Irons MP to Micheal last year. Michael had hoped Natasha would light a candle at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to remember soldiers who were left off honor rolls. Sadly, Michael passed away before the ceremony could take place.
So on 26th March the Lyons family, Al Carns MP (the Minister for Veterans), leaders from Croydon Council, the NHS, Army Cadets, members of the veteran community and a representative of HM King Charles came together to celebrate Michael’s life and continue his mission.
Natasha Irons MP, along with members of the Croydon community, launched the #CroydonCares4Veterans campaign to raise money for SSAFA Croydon and the Royal British Legion New Addington branch. More than 5,000 people in Croydon have served in the UK Armed Forces. The money raised will support Croydon veterans and their families, whether they need help with housing, transitioning to civilian life or mental health support.
There is a fundraising page here if you are able to help in that way please do and share it as widely as you can. https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/croydoncares4veterans
Please also tell other local armed forces contacts about croydonveterans.org.uk and encourage them to sign up with our group.