Defence Discount Service joined by veterans to mark Remembrance Day

A discount service for the Armed Forces welcomed veterans and community leaders to pay respects to the fallen on Remembrance Day.

Members of the Defence Discount Service, the only official Ministry of Defence discount service for the Armed Forces, Veterans and Defence Community, invited local councillors and veterans to its head office in Leicestershire to take part in a Remembrance service.

Army Veterans Ken and Liz Jones joined Councillor Jenni Tillotson, Deputy Mayor of Charnwood and Charnwood Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion and Councillor Hilary Fryer at the event.

• Remembrance Poems In Full – As We Honour The Fallen
• Why the black poppy matters
• UK honours fallen in poignant Armistice Day commemorations

For Liz and Ken, the wreath laying ceremony in memory of service personnel who died for their country had a personal tone.

The married couple tragically lost friends and colleagues during their many years of service. 

Ken's military career extends over many decades and continents. He has completed three tours in the UK and Germany, as well as serving in Belgium, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, and the First Gulf War with 1 Squadron 7 Signal Regiment. 

The veterans said that despite the tragic losses they were “lucky enough to still have close friends around today from the Royal Air Force, who we’ve known for more than 44 years.”

Tom Dalby, CEO of Defence Discount Service, said: “Now, more than ever should we reflect on the harrowing events of the past and mark the continued dedication of our Armed Forces – now, and into the future.

"Due to the pandemic, we as a nation were unable to come together and mark Armistice Day in the way we normally would last year. That makes today even more special, and we’re honoured to have Ken and Liz here with us to commemorate the occasion."

Mr Dalby highlighted the need to keep on supporting the defence community. He said: 

“I would also urge people to support the annual Poppy Appeal. Wearing a poppy not only remembers lost lives, but also assists the servicemen and women of today.

"As Covid-19 restrictions ease, poppy collectors have once again visited local communities to raise vital funds for the Armed Forces community.”

Defence Discount Service is the official MOD discount service for the UK’s defence community.

Launched in 2012, the service caters to both serving personnel and veterans, as well as MOD civil servants, bereaved family members, war and service widows and widowers and NATO personnel serving in the UK.

There are just under 159,000 people working full time in the UK Armed Forces, with an additional 32,300 serving in the Reserves. The Defence Discount applies to everyone in the defence community including veterans who make up 5.4 percent of the UK population. 

Unmarried partners, as well as cadets, are also eligible for the Discount Service, however, they have to be over 16 years of age. 

The Defence Discount Service has more than 500,000 members who receive discounts from over 9,000 companies such as Apple, Samsung, New Look, Halfords and O2 mobiles. 

Members can access discounts online through the Defence Discount Service website, saving on anything from holidays to cars and toys.

To access discounts in stores, restaurants and other venues a Defence Privilege Card can also be purchased for £4.99 that will be valid for five years.