HE has collected countless amounts to help the heroes of war over four decades of fundraising – now Dave Davison has been honoured for his marathon Poppy Appeal efforts.

The 82-year-old from Clifton has been involved in the Royal British Legion’s annual appeal since leaving the armed forces in 1969, and over the last ten years he and his collection tin have been a familiar sight outside the Tesco store at Clifton Moor.

Dave, who served with the Royal Artillery in Palestine, India, Greece, Egypt, Germany and Hong Kong, has now been given a 40-year pin by appeal organisers and the Lord Mayor of York, Coun John Galvin, in a ceremony at York’s Mansion House.

“I lost friends in Palestine and I always think about them and how lucky I was – that’s why I do it,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for the Royal British Legion, there would be a lot of former servicemen and women dying too soon because there would be nobody to look after them.

“People have recently become even more generous in donating to the appeal. I collected £6,994 last year and I think I have beaten that this time – I will keep on doing it as long as I possibly can.”

Meanwhile, York City will be supporting the Poppy Appeal at today’s FA Cup first round match against Crewe Alexandra at Bootham Crescent, where players will be wearing T-shirts with a large poppy on the front before the game – which will be preceded by a minute’s silence – and during their warm-up.

These will then be signed by the team and auctioned on www.ycfc.net, with the proceeds being donated to the Royal British Legion and the Help For Heroes charity.

“It is important for the club and our supporters to remember our fallen heroes,” said City manager Martin Foyle.

“My grandfather fought in the Second World War and I personally feel very strongly that football clubs should do their part in honouring the valuable contribution our servicemen and women have made in past and present conflicts.”

Acts of Remembrance bring memories back

WHEN Raymond Whitwell lines up with old soldiers for Sunday’s Remembrance Day parade, he will be one of the oldest and most distinguished taking part.

Now aged 90, Raymond has recently returned from the Battle Of Arnhem 65th anniversary commemoration, where he was presented with the Arnhem Medal by Queen Wilhemena of The Netherlands.

He will be displaying his medal along with the Italy and Africa Stars, the Defence Medal, the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, and the Second World War medal.

Raymond, who lives in Malton, spent more than 45 years as a market trader in Helmsley before retiring a few weeks ago.

He recalls how, after joining the Army he was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and was stationed in the town of Honfleur, at the mouth of the River Seine.

The following year he was moved to Belgium as the German advance began.

He said: “We were part of the rearguard to allow the BEF to make for Dunkirk and evacuate to England.

“I eventually got to the beaches, but the situation was chaotic and hopeless, so I decided to try elsewhere.

“I was left in France after the evacuation of Dunkirk and spent 16 days travelling around, trying to find my way back to England. I had no knowledge of the overall situation and I eventually met up with a regular Army officer who was also lost, but could speak French. By now I had lost all sense of time, and which day of the week it was.

“We arrived at Lille Railway Station, where he found 29 English Red Cross nurses who were as pleased to us, as we were them. We found a Dutch fishing boat in the harbour and hitched a ride to Southampton.”

In 1941, Raymond completed a parachute course at Ringway aerodrome – now Manchester International Airport.

Two years later he found himself serving in North Africa, followed by the invasion of Sicily, before returning to North African, which was followed by the invasion of Italy from the sea.

His distinguished career continued with his return to the UK and then the Battle of Arnhem when, he recalls, he and others went for nine days without food. From there we went to Norway to disarm the German garrison, before we came back to England for VE Day and eventually, demob.