Past News and Photos
News - London Legacy Legatee President Lindsay Birrell shares his ‘trip of a lifetime’ with all at Legacy
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| March 2011
|  My partner Jenny Dunn and I have just returned from "a trip of a life time".
We recently flew from Gatwick direct to Tromsco in northern Norway. As we approached the airport the Captain announced that it was snowing heavily and we could not land but don't worry we were going to land at Boyd a nearby military airport (which turned out to be a base for watching Russian flights over Norway) already shades of James Bond.
After re-fuelling and chatting to the airport staff about the secret nature of the base, we again took off to return to Tromsco airport which, in the space of 3 hours, had been cleared of feet of snow (UK eat your heart out). The equipment on show once we landed was unbelievable to clear thousands of tons of snow in such a short time.
Once landed we were bussed to the majestic Richard With, the flag ship of the Hurtigraten Line of superb Mail ships which give a 24 hour a day Mail delivery service to all ports on the coast of Norway. Look up Hurtigruten on Google for the full history and detail of their service which started around the 1750'ies when Richard With a local trader started the 24 hour Mail service with one ship.
|  Well, the service may have started with delivering basic food and equipment to the local isolated coastal towns of Norway but the addition of cabins for tourists to go along for the ride 24 hours a day every day of the year has created the perfect holiday with ever changing action, magnificent views, fabulous food, first class service from a very happy crew. We were allocated our cabins, settled in quickly and joined our B group second session for dinner.
We were amazed at the people of Norway who, without exception, are friendly, efficient and helpful to a fault.
From boarding our plane at Gatwick to siting down to dinner (including 3 hours detour to Bodo) 10 hours had elapsed, of extreme excitement and it was our first day of what was to be the trip of a lifetime.
To give a full-on day by day description of our next 6 days would fill up a short story but to just list the highlights should surfice.The ship operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year supplying all coastal ports up and down the country calling at all hours. 2am pull into a port, passengers on/off, fork lift truck loading on/off them on our way in 2 hours onto the next port.
On top of the 24 hours schedule delivering goods and services there is a tourist operation loading up all the cabins with people coming along for the ride (some ride)!
There is also a daily programme of visits on land like the Ice Hotel, historic forts, buildings, places such as the North Cape on the 71st parallel on the Arctic Circle temp-22 degrees.
Reindeer trips across the wilderness, snowshoe walks, skiing, snowboarding, our own rented trawler for deep sea fishing, we caught enough fish for a big lunch cooked on the ship only-15 degrees!
What a wonderful trip! |
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| Legacy Represented at Battle of Britain Concert
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| September 2010
| London Legacy and Legacy Australia were represented at the recent 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain concert held at Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill.
Legatee President Lindsay Birrell from London Legacy and his partner Jenny Dunn, who are volunteers at Chartwell, took part in the which included many attendees dressing up in 1940’s period clothing. Lindsay played the part of Bill Thompson, Churchill's only police detective bodyguard during the War, Jenny was playing the part of a staff secretary at the Cabinet War Room during the war.
| Entertainment included the RAF Band playing all the old war time music, a big screen showed many war time film clips, Churchill speeches, and sound bites of the Blitz experience.
A spitfire and a hurricane put on a display over Chartwell and the night ended with fireworks.
|  | A group of Chartwell volunteers and staff working at the event.
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|  | Lindsay and Jenny with a 1940's staff car with RAF crew in the background in front of the huge stage with the RAF Band playing to the 5000 people present.
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| Guests included Dame Vera Lynn and Randolf Churchill, great grandson, who closed the evening with a speech thanking everyone for their presence.
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| Ron Barassi adds support for London Legacy at Australian Business event
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| September 2010
| Australian Business in London this week is hosting one of their very successful Business After 5pm events, with members and their guests invited to a special Australian Football League themed networking evening. A hugely successful series, the evening on the 9th of September shall have an AFL theme.
| The event shall see a message delivered by an AFL London representative who will remember that this month in Australia is Legacy Week. Public support will be announced for the work of London Legacy in the UK who offer care and support for mostly UK ladies who married Australian servicemen and whom receive a war widow’s pension from the Australian Government.
AFL legend Ron Barassi has also added his voice to the support of London Legacy. He has asked to have a personal message passed on saying "I am deeply grateful for the role of Legacy in my life and am proud to endorse the valuable work of this outstanding Australian organisation making a difference here in the UK".
Ron Barassi lost his Father in the war and he and his mother were supported by Legacy in those early difficult years. Ron has been a tireless supporter of Legacy all of his life.
London Legacy shall be present on the evening to receive donations and sell the famous Legacy Pins.
Please make a donation or buy a Legacy Pin.
| You can see the 2010 Legacy Appeal Video at: Legacy Appeal Video 2010
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| London Legacy represented at dedication of Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery
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| July 2010
| London Legacy Legatees were present at the recent dedication of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery. The dedication took place on Monday the 19th of July 2010.
The new Cemetery is the final resting place for 250 Australian and British soldiers who were unearthed from their mass grave in 2009 on the edge of a wood where they were buried by German soldiers in 1916.
The Battle of Fromelles was the costliest in Australian military history. About 1,700 British servicemen and more than 5,500 Australian diggers lost their lives in the two-day battle.
Prince Charles and the relatives of identified soldiers attended the commemorative ceremony, 94 years after the soldiers were killed in the Battle. Work to excavate and identify the soldiers began two years ago, after the bodies were discovered. Of the bodies recovered, 205 have now been identified as belonging to Australian soldiers, three served with the British army and 42 are still classified as unknown.
| The Duke of Kent opened the ceremony marking the anniversary of the battle. The Duke, who is president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said the soldiers were "lost no longer... here, at last, in peace". Relatives of those killed during the battle paid tribute to their family members, reading moving extracts from diaries and letters home. The last letter from Thomas Sidney Wharfs, to his wife, dated 18 July 1916, said: "My darling wife I am writing this to be sent to you in case anything happens and I am killed tonight. I have just been ordered to attack tomorrow and I'm taking my company over, in the front line.
During the ceremony, a general service wagon, which had been restored after its use during WWI, carried the last coffin on its poignant journey. Following the Last Post and a one-minute silence, the Prince of Wales and the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, laid the first wreaths.
London Legacy Legatees Simon Kleinig, Vicki Genrich and John Crowe were also present to pay respects to the gallant men who gave their lives in a battle that the Australian War Memorial describes the battle as "the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history."
| | Legatees Simon Kleinig, Vicki Genrich and John Crowe at Fromelles.
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| Australian troops at Fromelles.
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| HRH The Prince of Wales dedicated the ceremony and said: "I am profoundly humbled by the outstanding bravery of these men who fought so valiantly in the indescribable mud and carnage, many thousands of miles from their families and from their homes."
In the aftermath of the battle, the dead Allied soldiers were buried by their German counterparts where they lay undiscovered until 2008. |
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| President of London Legacy presents special memorial tribute to Roger Sinclair
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| June 2010
| His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO The High Commission for Australia to the UK & our Patron, Commodore Peter Lockwood head of the Defense Staff & Lindsay Birrell President London Legacy have presented a special memorial tribute to Roger Sinclair for his mother Naomi, whose husband Richard then aged 22, was killed while serving as a fighter pilot on HMAS SYDNEY III during the Korean War in 1951. Naomi was unable to attend due to illness.
The memorial tribute was arranged because Naomi never broke faith with the memory of her husband and was sent by Captain Peter Leavy RAN Captain of HMAS SYDNEY IV. Dick Sinclair served as a fighter Pilot on HMAS SYDNEY III during the Korean War in 1951. He was killed in action. He was buried at sea with full honors.
Naomi has kept faith with the memory of her husband for 59 years, never remarried, and brought up her son Roger, just 14 weeks old when his father was killed. The rest is history, Legacy then London Legacy have supported Naomi and her son all these years and still take a keen interest in her welfare.
| You can read Naomi's story at: Naomi Sinclair's Story
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| London Legacy President delivers Annual Report to Annual Reception at Australia House
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| June 2010
London legacy President Lindsay Birrell today delivered his anuual message at the London Legacy Annual reception held at Australia House. The text of Lindsays message follows.
His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO, High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom, and Patron London Legacy, representatives from the New Zealand High Commissioner, Legatee Commodore Lockwood Head Australian Defence Staff, Mrs Lockwood, Agents General, Directors Westpac Bank in the UK, the Directors of TNT Magazine, Mr & Mrs Russel Fielding, Widows, Legatees, distinguished guests, friends all.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this reception to say thanks you to everyone for your continued support for our important work of supporting our Australian and New Zealand war widows living in the UK and now located in 37 countries outside Australia.
Much has happened since last year when our reception was marred by a train strike on the night. Only 40 were able to attend, tonight we have well over 100 so please enjoy your night, get around to meet our biggest ever number of our widows able to attend..
During the evening I will introduce Peter Grose our guest speaker who is the author of the award winning book entitled "An Awkward Truth" The bombing of Darwin 1942, and we will also be raffling dozen boxes of fabulous Australian wines donated by Agents General.
I want to thank His Excellency for being our very active Patron with his hands on advice and help in many ways, including making the presentation to Roger Sinclair on behalf of his mother,(see News Release), Defence staff for their ever ready assistance, in particular Shirley Jones who is our minute secretary and general contact with Australia House and Legatee Andrew Craig, Agent General for Queensland, who via his Government has let us have an office in Queensland House.
I would like to thank our Legatees and Volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year, attending meetings, supporting our widows, manning our office, selling Legacy Pins on ANZAC DAY etc. etc .A special thanks to widow Isobel Tripney who answered my call for help, to come and help in the office. Isobel has worked there for 2 days a week for 4 months!
Also Marius Barnsley, a young Australian in London looking for a job volunteered and has been in our office almost full time since the office opened.
We thank Westpac Bank UK, for their support this year in many ways including providing us with a computer and colour printer for our new office as well as supplying staff members to join our ANZAC DAY team raising funds etc.
A big thanks to the Directors and staff of TNT Magazine for all their help during the year, especially for holding the TNT ANZAC BALL, which was very successful again this year, they are our oldest financial supporter and have held the TNT ANZAC Ball for more than 10 years and we hope they will continue to support us into the future.
Another thank you goes to Mr & Mrs Russel Fielding of ANZAC SPORTS CHALLENGE and The Clapham Grand Hotel for their ongoing support over the last 4 years. We look forward to continuing our association.
Many other thanks are due to a lot of people both here tonight and those who couldn't make it, but they know who they are and we appreciate their continued help year after year, from Australian Business, Australia Day Foundation, Brit/Aus Society, ICANZ, ICAA. CPA Australia NZ High Commission, Australian High Commission, the Australia Shop, Churches, Agents General, Legacy Australia etc. etc.
We are all saddened by the death of some of our widows, the illness of some of our Legatees; we hope they will soon recover. I make special mention of Legatee Mel Quinn, who has had another major operation to remove more of the tumour from his brain. Legatee Mel has to undergo more kimo but he is always in our prayers. Stick with it Mel.
Legatee Liz O’Brien has recovered from a broken ankle, Legatee Max Phillips is still struggling with a bad leg and the shock of a car accident, Legatee Ed Bennett has had a pace maker fitted, Col John Cormack retired, but we all soldier on. We welcome new Legatees to take up the important of attending to our widows needs now expanded to other countries.
Click for pictures of the Reception: London Legacy Reception 2010 in Pictures
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| Australian Government supports London Legacy initiative for overseas DVA pension payments
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| April 2010
From early 2010, Department of Veterans Affairs pension payments can be made directly into overseas bank accounts, a move that makes it so much easier for deserving recipients to access their pension payments.
Previously payments could only be made into Australian bank accounts, which proved a real problem for many elderly pensioners who resided overseas to access their pensions.
London Legacy has been campaigning to change this situation over a number of years. Nearly 2 years ago, London Legacy President Lindsay Birrell approach Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in London about the problem. Mr Rudd, himself a recipient of Legacy support promised to look into the situation, and since then with the help of many parties, the change to overseas payments has been implemented.
London Legacy is grateful to the support that Mr Rudd has provided to make this very important change happen. Said Lindsay Birrell “Mr Rudd was very receptive to my questions at a business lunch in London a couple of years ago, and although he was fairly new in office at the time, took pack our issue to Australia. We are very pleased and thank all the people who have worked to make this change happen, its means a lot to many people” he added.
Overseas DVA pensioners should contact London Legacy if they have not received any correspondence from the DVA advising them of their new payment options.
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| London Legacy represented at Villers-Bretonneux on ANZAC Day
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| April 2010
London Legacy was represented at the recent ANZAC Day services held in Villers-Bretonneux. Legatee and Treasurer Vicki Genrich represented London Legacy on what has becoming a very significant event.
Although Gallipoli is always going to be well attended, more and more Australians and New Zealanders are being drawn to the Western Front, where the scale of the war is almost incomprehensible.
The site of the recent ANZAC Day services is very significant for Australians. In the First World War, on 24 April 1918, the small town of Villers-Bretonneux was the site of the world's first battle between two tank forces: three British Mark IVs against three German A7Vs. The Germans took the town, but that night and the next day it was recaptured by 4th and 5th Division of the AIF at a cost of over twelve hundred Australian lives. The people of Villers-Bretonneux remain indebted to Australia for this feat. The town's mayor spoke of the Australian troops on 14 July 1919 when unveiling a memorial in their honour:
"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for."
The Australian War Memorial in France is located in Villers-Bretonneux and in front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of other British Empire soldiers involved in the campaign. The school in Villers-Bretonneux was rebuilt using donations from school children of Victoria, Australia (many of whom had relatives perish in the town's liberation), and above every blackboard is the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie" (Never forget Australia).
Vicki Genrich laid a reef on behalf of London Legacy at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Many people have noted that the excellent television coverage of the event back in Australia saw the highlighting of the London Legacy presence. “My father in law tells me that I was on Australian TV and the commentator actually said ‘a wreath being laid for Legacy’” said Vicky.
London Legacy is dedicated to supporting the widows and families of deceased Australian and New Zealand service personnel who reside in Europe and the United Kingdom. London Legacy currently support over 60 widows of Australian and New Zealand service personnel here in the UK and Europe.
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| | Vicki Genrich laying a wreath on behalf of London Legacy at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.
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| The Australian cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux.
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| London Legacy farewells Legatee Steve Martin and welcomes Commodore Peter Lockwood
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| March 2010
| A reception was recently held at in the London Legacy offices at Queensland House on the Strand in London to farewell Legatee Air Commodore Steve Martin and to welcome Commodore Peter Lockwood to the UK.
Steve Martin returns to Australia after serving the Australian people in London as a senior public service figure and as a significant backer and contributor to the recent growth and success of London Legacy.
Legatee President Lindsay Birrell spoke in glowing term of the 3 years of service Steve completed as a Legatee and Trustee. Lindsay referred to the wise council and friendship Steve offered to all Legatees. Steve contributed to the professionalism of London Legacy and its evolution, building an organisation set to fulfil its role in an even more efficient and professional manner.
One of Steve’s final contributions to London Legacy was the advice in his closing remarks made at the London Legacy Annual General Meeting in January; for the organisation to build a stronger support structure for the President, including identifying and appointing two Vice Presidents to share his load.
“It was fitting that we were able to advise Legatee Steve at our reception that in fact Legatee Vicki Genrich and Legatee Mark Daley were to be nominated as Vice Presidents at our forthcoming April meeting” said Lindsay.
A presentation was made to Steve of a framed photo of Steve, Mrs Martin and PA Wendy Tritton taken at Australia House at the occasion held to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Great Britain. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended and Steve and Mrs Martin were presented to Her Majesty.
In response, Steve made complementary remarks about the progress he had seen in London Legacy in his 3 years in London.
Additionally, Commodore Lockwood attended the reception after only arriving in London a few days ago; succeeding Steve as Head of the Defence Staff at Australia House. The attendees provided a warm welcome and Lindsay echoed the thoughts of all in wishing Commodore Lockwood a very successful and enjoyable time in the UK.
|  | Legatee Steve Martin at left, Legatee President Lindsay Birrell with Commodore Lockwood to right.
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|  | Legatee Steve Martin and Commodore
Lockwood with the London Legacy team.
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| 2010 ANZAC Sports Challenge to support Legacy in the UK
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| March 2010
London Legacy’s President Lindsay Birrell announced today that the organisers of the annual ANZAC Sports Challenge have appointed London Legacy as their major charity for this years 6th annual event.
“We are pleased to announce that the ANZAC Sports Challenge has selected London Legacy as their charity of choice to support the work we do here for the widows and families of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force members based throughout Europe, particularly after the death of a spouse or parent during service” said Mr Birrell.
The ANZAC Sports Challenge is the annual sporting challenge between Australians and New Zealanders living in the UK. The event will be held on April 24th, 2010 at Grasshoppers RFC and will feature many flagship antipodean events and organisations including AFL London, Premier Touch Rugby and Easy OE.
The organisors have committed to supporting London Legacy with a cash donation, free tickets and will allow London Legacy to sell traditional Legacy pins throughout the event. “We are extremely pleased and grateful for the ongoing support of the ANZAC Sports Challenge, who have supported London Legacy for a number of years now” said Mr Birrell. “Many people don’t realise the extent of help and support some of their fellow antipodeans need here in the UK and throughout Europe as they get older. We not only help with practical support such as assistance with accommodation, medical, legal and general welfare; but we also lobby the respective governments of Australia and New Zealand for the rights of widows and families living outside of their respective countries” he added. The support we receive from the ANZAC Sports Challenge is extremely important to a voluntary organisation such as London Legacy and to the people that we ourselves support”.
For more information on the ANZAC Sports Challenge 2010, go to www.anzacsportschallenge.com. London Legacy hopes all those attending on the day will keep a lookout for London Legacy volunteers who will have Legacy pins for sale and will also have donation buckets for any spare change.
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| London Legacy represented at Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in the UK
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| February 2010
London Legacy’s President Lindsay Birrell was one of a lucky number of people who recently attended the Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in the UK event held at Australia House in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The event saw The Queen attend Australia House on the 19th of February with a large number of Australian and UK dignitaries, hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr John Dauth LVO, who is also the Patron of London Legacy.
The Australian High Commission has now been established in London for 100 years; and is Australia's oldest diplomatic posting, being established in 1910. Australia House is now the longest, continuous diplomatic site in the United Kingdom.
Mr Birrell represented Legacy Australia,, a voluntary organisation of veterans, servicemen and women and other volunteers dedicated to the care of the dependants of Australian Defence Force members based throughout the world in 38 countries.
“It was an extreme privilege and pleasure to represent Legacy Australia at this very special event. I was able to speak to Her Majesty who expressed knowledge of our organisation and commented on our good work” said Mr Birrell. Legacy itself recently celebrated 67 years in Europe and it is our plan to continue our work here. We are extremely grateful for the support of all at Australia House, and look forward to our continued collaboration” he added.
London Legacy will be represented at the ANZAC Day services this year. Please show your support by buying a pin or donating to one of our volunteers in London.
| | Legatee, President Lindsay Birrell being introduced to Her Majesty by His Excellency John Dauth LVO who is also the Patron of London Legacy.
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| Legatee Steve Martin (HADS Aus House) and on his right Mrs Martin with Wendy Tritton PA on his left
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| Australian tackles the London-Paris Cycle Tour to support Legacy
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| 6th July 2009
|  Recently, Flight Lieutenant Leigh Wrighton-Jones, an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force currently studying a Masters Degree at Cranfield University in the UK, undertook one of the great cycle experiences in Europe, cycling from London to Paris from the 2nd to the 4th of July 2009.
Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones took on the challenge with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Legacy, a cause he feels passionate about.
Legacy is a voluntary organisation providing services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the death of a spouse or parent during or after their defence force service. Legacy currently cares for 120,000 widows and 1,900 children and dependants throughout Australia.
| The ride was approximately 300 miles and passed through picturesque Kent countryside in the UK before crossing the Channel and continuing through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France, passing the famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt.
Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones spent long days in the saddle and some strenuous hill-climbs, and admitted that the sight of the Eiffel Tower was a rewarding if not welcome experience, evoking a real sense of achievement for him, from both a personal point of view as well as the realisation of raising a significant amount of money for Legacy.
| Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones raised approximately £1,000, but is seeking further donations and any amount would be greatly appreciated.
To learn how you can support Flight Lieutenant Wrighton-Jones for his ride, contact him directly at lwrightonjones@gmail.com
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| Australia House hosts Annual London Legacy Reception
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| June 2009
His Excellency the Deputy High Commissioner for Australia Mr Adam McCarthy opened our Annual Reception with apologies from our Patron His Excellency The High Commissioner Mr John Dauth LVO who has supported London Legacy from the beginning of his term in office.
Mr McCarthy told of his association with Legacy in Australia and his willingness to support us wherever he can. He spoke of the wonderful band of widows we assist in the UK and the wider European States and the dedicated work of the Legatees who work totally in a volunteer spirit looking after their group of widows.
The main aim of the Annual Reception is to thank all the people and organisations who support London Legacy financially throughout the year but especially around ANZAC DAY. They are too many to single out but TNT Magazine through their TNT ANZAC BALL must get a special mention this year.
Mr McCarthy then closed his remarks and mixed with all present.
| | HE Adam McCarthy Deputy High Commission for Australia opening our Annual Reception, Downer Room, Australia House. With President Legatee Lindsay Birrell on left.
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| Group of Legatees, Widows, friends of London Legacy with Hon Secretary Legatee LIZ O'BRIEN (in the wheelchair) being thanked for organising the Reception.
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