many people ask me why i do this and why the passion well This is where and how it started ...( The Don War memorial museum and veterans hub and The last Post Remembrance bar ) was once known as (The don bar) in stockton is now The last post 2012 i put up my first poppies ... First i did a small rememberance poppy wall with about 200 poppies and a few WW1 WW2 and modern day conflicts photographs i that had downloaded from internet so people would not forget our past and present .. i carried on with the poppies finally amounting to 90.000 all glued up over time one by one with a hot glue gun . then i did My Remembrance crosses covering Afghanistan Iraq, Falklands,Warren point, Northern ireland, and Shot at dawn each cross with a individual photograph on each in memory of those that gave there all for us. I sort of got lost in it was relaxing and it didnt matter how many hours days months into years i glued hammered or pasted it took me somewhere else during a very difficult time in my life i put up every photo cross & piece of memorabila myself then i put together all the displays this is my baby something so important to me i have to do this without help because it just wouldnt be the same that is why i love this place its something i created built up put my whole life into i gave up a lot to do this its my passion and my calling . . Then i started fundraising for different military charities and people came to visit spreading the word , families and friends started to send on my messanger or bring in photos of loved ones and memorabilia and i would put them up one by one and arrange displays noone is allowed to put anything up it is my personal tribute and i needed to know where every person i have on my remembrance wall is, and every piece of memorabilia ect is. Slowely the veterans came in and tell me there stories i was humbled and honoured they though me important enough to share with. This has gone on for over 9 years and i look back now at what i have got and im proud. I know its not everyones cup of tea and ive made enemies along the way with some different views from different people that really dont know what it is all about . I have every Age, Gender, Religion, Race on my walls of respect remembering them all .... i will carry on for as long as i can . My Tribute to them got me through a really bad time in my life it gave me a purpose to carry on ill never forget that. .... I have now moved all my memorabilia photos displays and poppies, manakins the lot into new premises during lockdown 2020 i have put all my memorabilia up again myself 18 months going in every day to put it all back up again in last post Ground floor and my museum area upstairs . I will never be finished putting up my memorabilia and it will continue to grow. Noone can take that away from me.. This is a unique Personal tribute and the fact that noone is allowed to help with the memorabilia side and displays is what makes it special not another place in the country can say the same...
Tribute to our forces past and present from me Remembering with respect. If you have any photos you would like me to display bring them in or inbox me if you have any memorabilia for me to display for you let me know i personally will cherish and look after your items ..
