Page 18 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 56

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Peter Girling shares his story

Editor: I first came across Peter Girling almost by chance as I was invited to a reception at maintaining an independent lifestyle
the Royal Hospital Chelsea hosted by General The Lord Dannatt in aid of the ‘There But through the support of teams providing
Not There’ campaign a couple of years ago. Peter was a founding trustee of the organisa- housing security, from 1989–2015. He
tion which resulted in so many outline figures of a ‘Tommy’ appearing in villages, towns, was appointed Honorary President of
and churches throughout the land. Peter is a former ACC Officer who served for a few years SAFE in 2015. He has been a Director
in the late 1960s. Having got to know a little about him, I persuaded Peter to share his and Trustee of Haig Housing Trust
fascinating life and career with members of the ACC Association as he has contributed so from 2010–2015; Founding Trustee of
much to the welfare of veterans. Remembered in April
Peter has always became the Non-Executive Chairman 2017 until December
had an interest in of Girlings and Director of Retirement 2019 when it was
the Military, having for Places for People until 31st March merged with the RBLI.
come from a long 2019. Girlings is the market leader in Remembered ‘There
line of soldiers. His the provision of retirement homes to But Not There’ was
Grandfather was rent on Assured Tenancies through- established to remem-
killed on the first out England, Scotland and in Wales. ber the sacrifices made
day of the battle Working in Partnership with Norwich by members of the
of the Somme leading his Battalion Union he established a national British Armed Forces
(the 24th Battalion 1st Tyneside Irish, portfolio. Girlings have been a provider who have fallen or been injured in war
Northumberland Fusiliers). He was of homes to Veterans since its inception by the provision of memorials to com-
brought up in a home with pictures of working through its own Branch of the memorate specific events. Clear cut
forbears going back 150 years, many Royal British Legion Women’s Section silhouettes designed by Martin Barraud
of them having served in the Indian and the RBL Director of Welfare. The appeared throughout the Country, each
Army and the Gurkhas. His maternal Branch was dissolved when the RBL one representing a name on war memo-
Grandmother had 10 brothers, all of decided to amalgamate the Women’s rials. The Tommy soldier became the
whom were soldiers, so perhaps you may Section within the main organisation. emblem of the campaign and today may
understand why he is so keen on assist- Peter has worked with Board of still be seen in many locations. General
ing veterans whenever possible. Trustees for Help the Aged Housing The Lord Dannatt and Bishop Tim
Charles Peter Meredith Girling for 12 months assisting with a legal Thornton, Bishop at Lambeth Palace,
began his military career as a Trooper investigation; he has held Executive Bishop to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces
with the 1st The Queen Dragoon Directorships with McCarthy and Stone and Bishop to the Falklands, were joint
Guards in September 1958 until Care Services and has been Assistant to Patrons.
being medically discharged following the Chairman and Group Ombudsman As if he has not got enough to do,
an unfortunate accident with a Sub Director of the Peverel Group Peter was appointed as a Director of the
Machine Gun a year later! After recov- responsible for managing 45,000 retire- RBLI Centenary Village Development
ering, he trained in Hotel Management ment homes. Board in December 2019. Peter has
in London, the Canary Islands, Brussels Amongst his extensive voluntary also recently launched the Tommy Club
and in Cornwall. After five years, he activities, Peter has been a Director of under the Presidency of General the
could again prove his fitness and was the Prince’s Trust, Southern Counties, Lord Dannatt with the aim of raising
successful in gaining a place at Mons helping young people to set up in awareness of the needs of Veterans.
Officer Cadet School. He was com- business, from 1988-1991. He was
missioned into the Army Catering the founding administrator (whilst at Editor: I was proud to be invited to become
Corps in October 1964 where he spent McCarthy and Stone) and Trustee of a Founding Patron of the Tommy Club,
5 years plus another two years with SAFE, a charity working throughout the details of which may be found elsewhere in
the Territorial Army. He served with UK assisting Victims of Violence with this edition.
6th Battalion Light Infantry (Duke of
Cornwall’s), 18 months at the Junior
Tradesman Regiment Aldershot, fol-
lowed by 3 years as Specialist Messing
Officer at CAD Kineton and Royal
Engineers Long Marston. After leav-
ing the Army he become Director and
Manager of the Fowey Hotel Company
Ltd for over 10 years.
In 1991, Peter and his wife
established Girlings Retirement Rentals
before eventually selling the company
to Places for People in 2014. He then Centenary Village at Aylesford, Kent

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