The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled, more commonly known as The Taxi Charity, was formed in 1947 to support ex-servicemen.
“The visit to the Menin Gate was particularly emotional. I always shed a tear whenever I hear the Last Post.”
Included in the charity’s wonderful annual itinerary is a historic trip to First World War battlefield, Ypres in Belgium. This year, 98 veterans took part in the three day excursion which saw visits to the Belgium Military Barracks for a parade, breakfast at the Passchendaele Museum, an evening meal in the Cloth Hall and a ceremony at Menin Gate.
London Taxi Drivers Help our Heroes
The trip wouldn’t be possible without the superb generosity of London taxi drivers as 64 kind-hearted cabbies turned their meters off and waived the fare from London to Belgium.
91 year old WW2 veteran, Ken Watts of Drayton Manor, said: “It was a terrific trip and a very moving one. The visit to the Menin Gate was particularly emotional. I always shed a tear whenever I hear the Last Post.”
Mr Watts served in the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire regiment during the Second World War and was also part of the first group of soldiers to land on the beaches in France on D-Day. He added: “I’m extremely proud to have been able to see where our forefathers fought and died.”
“I’m extremely proud to have been able to see where our forefathers fought and died.”
Vice President of the Taxi Charity, Dick Goodwin, commented on the emotional voyage: “It was a very moving trip. A lot of the guys that came along have ancestors that were killed on these battlefields in the First World War and so it meant a lot for them to take this trip.”
A Big Thank You
British Ambassador of Belgium, Alison Rose, couldn’t have been prouder of the cabbies’ efforts and of the overall organisation of the trip. She said: “I’m so grateful to the Taxi Charity for organising this years visit to Ypres for veterans and war disabled.
“64 London taxis have brought 98 veterans to Flanders Fields in Belgium to remember all those who died here in World War 1 and World War 2.
“It was my privilege to join the veterans, the cab drivers and the organisers yesterday evening.
“Thank you to the Taxi Charity for all you do to support those who have served and for helping us to remember those who didn’t come back.”