We must honour them all - Erskine Veteran emphasises the need to remember every conflict.

As the nation prepares to fall silent on Remembrance Day, Erskine Veteran Derek "Benny" Bennett is gearing up to honour those he fought alongside on some of the world's most dangerous frontlines.

From close calls with rocket attacks to peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, Benny’s life has been action-packed. But behind the daring tales is a story of grit, camaraderie, and a love for the Army that took him from the Welsh valleys to the Middle East.

Benny, now 72 and living at the Erskine Veterans Charity’s Edinburgh home, insists that it is vital to acknowledge and recognise the effects all conflicts – not just those that dominated the headlines – have on Veterans throughout the country.

He said: “It’s crucial we remember not just the big wars like WWII, the Falklands, Afghanistan, or Iraq, but all the conflicts and peacekeeping missions that don’t always make the headlines. I know people who have suffered, and I personally know that the scars —whether seen or unseen — are just as real for those who served in less talked-about places. The impact on those who were there is the same, and their sacrifices deserve the same respect and remembrance.”

Benny started his Army career at just shy of 16-years-old with the Junior Leader Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps. He said: "Looking back. I was just a kid, really – I didn't know what I was getting myself into. But I was young and thought I was invincible. I wouldn’t change it for the world, though. It shaped me into who I am today."

On completing his parachute jumps course at RAF Abingdon, a delighted Benny was airborne. By 1969, he had joined his Regiment the Regiment 3rd Carbiniers POWDG which in 1971 amalgamated with the Royal Scots Greys to become the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Benny’s military career would take him into the thick of some of the most intense operations of his time. With the Parachute Squadron, Royal Armoured Corps he faced the dangers of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, involved in operational tours backing up infantry house searches.

One close call still stands out. “A rocket fired by an RPG-7 missed our vehicle by just six inches—we were very lucky,” he recalls.

"You’d be lying if you said you weren’t scared. We were backing up the infantry, and you could feel the tension in the air. The fear was always there, but you just had to push it down and get on with the job. There were some dark days, but amidst it all, I met some wonderful people.

Then again with the Paras he was on the ground in Cyprus in 1974 when the Turkish invasion unfolded, serving six months as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force.

“I loved every minute of it; that was the best three years of my Army career,” he says of his time with the Paras.

In 1989 Benny was then deployed to Israel, serving with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), as a Liaison Officer stationed in Tel Aviv, during the Gulf War conflict. It fell to the Liaison Officers, a Dutch Major and Benny, to try to ensure the safety of staff and any MFO personnel amid a barrage of scud attacks.

After 25 years of service, Benny left the Army in 1992, however his toughest battle was yet to come. In 2018, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralysed. Despite the odds, Benny remains active and driven. Now in his 70s, he continues to keep fit at Erskine, training for hours each day.

“Erskine is a great place to be and the staff are brilliant. They do a fantastic job,” he says of his life at the home. "The staff at Erskine honour Veterans of all ages every single day with their care and dedication. It’s not just about remembering our service; it’s about making sure we feel valued, respected, and looked after, no matter what we’ve been through. They really go above and beyond, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to be."

Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Erskine Veterans Charity CEO, said: "Erskine, as Scotland’s leading Veterans charity, is committed to honouring Veterans like Benny who have given so much for their country. Our staff work tirelessly every day to provide the highest standard of care, accommodation and community support, to ensure that all our Veterans feel valued and respected. This Remembrance Day, we will come together as a charity to pay tribute to Veterans of all ages and from all conflicts, reflecting on their immense contributions and sacrifices. It’s our mission to make sure their legacies are never forgotten, and we are proud to be a part of their journey."

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio. To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate.

Erskine Veterans Charity | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity No. SC006609 | The Erskine Home, Erskine Veterans Village, Bishopton, PA7 5PU