“They gave their todays for our tomorrows”
18 Jun 2019
How House Services colleague Steve helps the British Legion – to thank them and his fellow former servicemen and women
“It’s a privilege and an honour – they gave their todays for our tomorrows.”
So says House Services colleague Steve Duncan about his role as a standard bearer for the British Legion, the charity that looks after former servicemen and women.
Steve, 51 and a member of the Northernden branch, carries the Union flag on Remembrance Sunday parades, at poppy collections and at the funerals of those of who have served in our armed services.
He joined the Lancashire Fusiliers straight from school in May 1985 and served for three years in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Hong Kong and China.
Despite facing racism from some of his “brothers in arms”, which he found perplexing and hurtful, he made a lot of good friends and enjoyed the confidence he gained from his experience and pride in serving Queen and country.
He left because he missed his home and his family but would join up again now, if he weren’t a father to eight and grandfather to five – including three-week-old Dmaya.
Instead he’s an instructor to Army cadets in Hulme – “I love it, I can see how the kids develop and get more confident and grown up as they learn first aid, or do their Duke of Edinburgh Award and learn so many skills” – as well as serving the British Legion.
“They do so much more than Remembrance Day parades,” he explains.
“They do outreach work, contact councils to speed up repairs to ex-servicemen’s homes, give advice on housing or pensions and help their families too. They help rehabilitate people as they get used to Civvy Street, me included.
“Every day they are out there doing so much for people and I am really proud to be part of that.”
And he loves working here at the University: “I did suffer from PTSD and depression, I locked myself away, but working here gets me out of the door every morning. My workmates are a crazy bunch – in a good way – and I love working with them.”
To donate to the charity that has helped Steve and countless other former servicemen and women, visit: