Military Veterans Portrait Photography
It was an honour to return to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans‘ Christmas Lunch this year (2024). Held at the 1885 Club at Millwall Football Club, the event celebrated those who have served our country.
As my way of giving back, I had the privilege of capturing portraits of several veterans during the lunch—a small gesture to thank them for their service and sacrifices.
It was inspiring to spend time with these brave and extraordinary individuals, listen to their stories, and witness their dignity and humility. They remind us of what truly matters in this world.
A huge salute to the Taxi Charity for their incredible work supporting these heroes. Time spent with these brave and extraordinary military veterans offers a humbling and enlightening perspective—their dignity and humility were inspiring, and we can all learn so much from their experiences. They remind us of what truly matters in this world.
Thank you to all who have served. Your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
We salute you.
Mervyn served with the 17 Vehicle Company RAOC. He landed on Gold Beach as part of Operation Overlord in a Bren Gun Carrier.
After a 14 hour crossing Mervyn came ashore on D-Day on Gold Beach at the western end of the British line next to the Americans at Omaha.
Moving through France, Belgium and Holland, he eventually reached Germany, arriving at Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp only days after it was liberated. Having travelled on a sealed train from Celle nr Belsen back to Bruges, Mervyn only learned that the war in Europe was over on 9th May.
Peter joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday and was posted to the HMS Adventure, where the Captain was Ronald Bowes-Lyon, cousin to the Queen Mother. For the D-Day Landings, Peter moved men and equipment from the Mulberry Harbour onto Gold Beach at Arromanches.
He later sailed to Canada, where the crew en-trained across Canada to pick up the HMS Hartland Point. He saw service in the Pacific before transporting American troops via the Panama Canal to the East Coast and then returning to Greenwich.
They refitted in the UK before sailing out the Gulf, where the ship then travelled to Singapore via the Suez Canal, where Peter celebrated his 21st birthday.
He served on HMS Hartland Point as an Able Seaman for three and a half years, being demobbed in 1946
John King (100) was conscripted into the Navy aged 18 in April 1943.
He served on HMS Janus in Anzio as a sight-setter on the warship’s stern gun, manning the range and deflection controls under heavy attack to keep shells on target. HMS Janus rained down more than 500 volleys of shells in the first two days of the battle to support landing troops and was later sunk with only 80 crew surviving.
Dorothea served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS). She was only 15 when the war began and joined up as soon as she could, stuffing her shoes with cardboard to give herself a little extra height. Training as a visual signaller, Dorothea later used her skills to teach the troops semaphore in the event of radio contact failure during the D-Day landings.
She was also involved in testing the Mulberry Harbour.
Paul Jacobs, GM, who served with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was 20 when he lost his sight in an explosion in Afghanistan when two of his comrades were killed.
He was awarded the George Medal for his bravery.
Vic was in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and did tours of Cyprus and the Suez Canal and spent two years in Kenya. Vic had the honour of being one of the soldiers lining the route for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
Chris Langford served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, also known as PWRR or The Tigers.
Learn more about portrait photography sessions for Veterans and Uniformed Services.
Authentic and classical portrait photography for military veterans. Portrait studio based in Welling, Bexley or on-location across London, Kent and the South East.
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