A VETERAN from Paulton will be leading 30 of his comrades from the 1st Battalion the Light Infantry and The Rifles Regiment on a march to Winchester Cathedral.
Paul Thorner from Paulton and friend Richard Davey will be marching from Royal Wootton Bassett to the cathedral for a medal ceremony on Saturday November 7.
The charity Mission Ham and Jam, named after a codename for the success of a mission in World War II in Normandy, was set up to provide financial assistance, medical recovery support and practical help for those suffering from PTSD.
Since 2024 and their first ever march in France, they have raised more than £78,000 for Care for Casualties - The Rifles Trust through fundraising walks and charity events, receiving recognition last year at The Rifles Charity Ball for their efforts.
This second march will start at 9am from the cenotaph in Royal Wootton Bassett on Thursday, November 5, where they will pay their respects to the fallen, lay a wreath and play the last post.
From there, they will proceed through the villages of Marlborough, Pewsey, Bulford, Wherwell, Chilbolton and on to Winchester, stopping at the cenotaphs en route to pay their respects to the fallen.
Along the length of the journey they will be carrying a stretcher with a casualty called ‘PTSD’, as a reminder of the burden troops face every day through conflict.
During the first two days of the march, the veterans will be joined by comrades of the 5th Battalion The Rifles and on Saturday, day three, they will be joined by SAS veteran Phil Campion.
Sunday, November 8 will see them gather at Winchester Cathedral to attend the Remembrance service.
A spokesperson said: “We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all our injured troops, to thank everyone who has attended our fundraising events and that have sponsored our marches.”