Jennifer Knowles knows what it's like having family in the forces: Caring mum on mission to help
AFGHANISTAN, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo – Brighouse mum Jennifer Knowles knows better than most what it is like to have sons serving in the world's hotspots.
Two of Jennifer's three sons have experience in the Armed Forces and her heart goes out to the families of the troops currently on duty in the dangerous and difficult terrain of Afghanistan.
Sgt Matthew Knowles, aged 36, is serving in the Royal Corps of Signals and returned from Afghanistan last October. He also served in Iraq for six months and saw three tours of duty in Bosnia and Kosovo. His younger brother Peter, now a prison officer, was a bandsman in the 47th Dragoon Guards and served in the first Gulf War. A third brother, Richard, is a police officer. As boys, the brothers went to St Andrew's Infants and Junior School in Brighouse and Holy Trinity Senior School in Halifax.
"Being a soldier is all Matthew wanted to do from being a young boy. He is doing the job he wants to do and I can't tell him I don't want him to go whenever there is conflict. I am so proud of him and of all of our troops," said Jennifer, a retired teacher, of Bailiff Bridge.
She admits she is addicted to current affairs and avidly follows the news. "Ian, my husband, is not as bad as me but I have to listen to the news bulletins and find out what's happening. It was dreadful during the build-up to the first Gulf War and Peter, who was 19 at the time, was sent out there as an Army medic.
"I was trying to convince myself that it wouldn't come to war but Peter was certain that he would have to go, even though he was a bandsman. He was based in Germany at the time and he came home on leave with a copy of 'The European' newspaper. He was reading it and said, 'We'll be out in the Gulf before Christmas, Mum' – and they were.
"It seemed so awful at the time because Peter was my first son to go away to a war zone. Though we were able to send letters, I didn't actually speak to him for six months which was a long time. The build-up to the conflict was very scary and we knew the troops were being given all sorts of injections to go out to the Gulf. I used to get in from work and sit down straight away and write to him, telling him news about home. It was a worrying time but he came through unscathed and took part in the Gulf Parade in London."
Jennifer, who is a churchwarden at St Martin's, Brighouse, recently organised a coffee morning which raised 700 for Help For Heroes, the charity for injured servicemen and women. Set up in 2007, it has become one of Britain's most high profile charities and raised more than 30 million to create better treatment and rehabilitation facilities for injured personnel. She was delighted that Matthew was able to attend the coffee morning and offer his support.
A soldier for 18 years, Matthew trained at Catterick Garrison and had a long spell in Germany. "He has been in a lot of hotspots and he will talk about it when he comes home but he doesn't dwell on the details.
"He has an easy-going temperament and he likes to see things done properly. I know he found it quite tough being in Afghanistan but he likes to do his job well. I don't want to put extra pressure on him when he's away by worrying about him."
Matthew has two children, Amy, aged eight, and six-year-old Toby. Toby was born during the Iraq campaign and Matthew saw his son just after his birth at Christmas 2003, then didn't see him again for six months. "Toby is just like his dad – determined to be a soldier," said Jennifer.
She takes comfort from the fact that there is a great sense of camaraderie and loyalty in the Army. "I was so pleased by the response when I did the coffee morning. There haven't been many events for Help For Heroes in Brighouse and I think the charity is doing a great job – the help and support it offers is going to be needed for a long time."
Fact file
Help For Heroes is the charity for injured servicemen and women. Set up by Bryn and Emma Parry in 2007 it has become one of Britain's most high-profile charities.
It is working hard to raise money to establish Army Recovery Centres across the UK which will provide help and rehabilitation for seriously wounded or long-term sick soldiers.
Help For Heroes has raised more than 3 million in just under two years. Its celebrity supporters include Jeremy and Francie Clarkson, singer James Blunt and actor Ross Kemp.
For further information on Help For Heroes contact 0845 673 1760 or 01980 846 459.
I know he found it quite tough being in Afghanistan but he likes to do his job well. I don’t want to put extra pressure on him when he’s away by worrying about him.”
Matthew has two children, Amy, aged eight, and six-year-old Toby. Toby was born during the Iraq campaign and Matthew saw his son just after his birth at Christmas 2003, then didn’t see him again for six months. “Toby is just like his dad – determined to be a soldier,” said Jennifer.
She takes comfort from the fact that there is a great sense of camaraderie and loyalty in the Army. “I was so pleased by the response when I did the coffee morning. There haven’t been many events for Help For Heroes in Brighouse and I think the charity is doing a great job – the help and support it offers is going to be needed for a long time.”
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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