‘We will remember them’ – Labour’s military veterans mark their first Remembrance Sunday as MPs

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Labour’s landslide victory in July saw the election of nine new military veterans – some of whom were serving the country right up until the week before they were elected

Labour’s landslide victory in July saw the election of nine new military veterans – some of whom were serving the country right up until the week before they were elected.

Now they’ve swapped active service for serving their local communities in Parliament.

Three of them told the Sunday Mirror about their time in the military – and why Remembrance is so important to them.

Calvin Bailey, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead

“This is the first Remembrance Sunday I’ve marked since I left the Royal Air Force to stand for election earlier this year. Over the years I’ve taken part in all kinds of remembrance activities.

“But this year is the first where I will be representing my constituents and remembering the sacrifices that our ex-servicemen and women have made on their behalf.

“Hearing the stories of sacrifice and bravery from our veterans every year is incredibly powerful. But so too is hearing how families have treasured these stories and passed them down through generations with a huge amount of pride.

“Before I had the honour of being elected in July as the new Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, I served our country for over 24 years in the Royal Air Force.

“I am incredibly proud of my time in the RAF and the people I met whilst serving our country in Haiti, the Philippines and Afghanistan.

“Service is what drives me, and every member of our armed forces.

“Ex-servicemen and women deserve our immense gratitude for their service to us.”

Louise Jones, Labour MP for North East Derbyshire

“During my military service, I attended quite a range of Remembrance Sundays. My first was a rather austere drumhead ceremony in a Welsh farmyard, standing with my fellow officer cadets in the Brecon rain, the familiar words of the service taking on new meaning for us at the beginning of our careers.

“It was a very different ceremony I attended when deployed to Afghanistan, gathered in the sunny garden of the British Embassy Kabul, looking at the names on the memorial of the very conflict I was serving in.

“I have marched in formal parades for services in cathedrals, and laid wreaths in small parishes with local cadets.

“But what all these services had in common, and what unites us all attending services this Sunday, is the importance of remembering the solemn sacrifice of those who served and gave their lives for our freedom.”

Alex Ballinger, Labour MP for Halesowen

“I joined the Royal Marines in 2005 and quickly after basic training was sent to Afghanistan.

“Our mission was to protect the town of Garmsir, a small settlement near the border with Pakistan. But almost as soon as we arrived the town was evacuated due to intense fighting.

“Every day the Taliban would fire rockets at us, and every night we would mount raids against them. Amongst the chaos we lost several outstanding marines.

“I was sent back to Afghanistan two years later. The risks were huge, but marines continued to put themselves forward. They knew the dangers but felt a duty to serve their country.

“I find it hard to fathom the millions who have done the same across two world wars, and the countless conflicts since.

“On Remembrance Sunday I remember the brave men and women who put themselves forward to protect us, their courage, and honour the memory of those who didn’t return.”