Coronation Street star and forces champion Antony Cotton is calling on the public to keep the Armed Forces and veteran community in their minds – like they did when UK troops were engaged in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The actor, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to the British Army, personnel and veterans, has been appointed president of the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) St James’s Branch – described as the “central branch of the legion”.
Talking exclusively to BFBS Forces News, Mr Cotton acknowledged that while the country is not at war people “don’t want to think about it,” but the consequence of that is charities like RBL receive less financial support than they otherwise would.Mr Cotton said: “Certainly, if our Armed Forces aren’t on the television and in news items because of conflict, or if it’s not an anniversary, there is no other way of capturing attention like when the men and women are [at war]. “I don’t blame them. Why would you want to think about [war] all the time?
“People are having to deal with their own stuff, and I think, honestly, the human brain can only deal with one catastrophe at a time… I’m certainly one of those people.” But he says the knock-on effect of reduced visibility is fewer donations from the general public.
Mr Cotton has been appointed by the committee of RBL’s St James’s Branch to become president of the arm, which consists of a membership that ordinarily does not have access to a physical RBL branch. “I would say to anybody, if you’re interested, find out if your local town, village or city has an RBL branch; find out where it is and knock on their door and say hello,” Mr Cotton said.
“And then just know that it’s a lot more than poppies. Poppies are a huge thing – of course it is and rightly so – but it’s a lot more too. “It’s 21-year-olds who are struggling, who fought for their country and then, three or four years later, they’re struggling. “Open up a conversation. As with all of these things, I always say all that matters is a conversation.”
Mr Cotton, who is linked to several military organisations including the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, also emphasised what he described as the “changing face” of veterans in the UK, citing the sparsity of ages in the ex-servicemen and women cohort of the population. He said: “They are a lot younger now.
“When it’s a particular generation that is the beneficiaries, it’s also the same generation that is putting their hands in their pockets and helping. “We need to always keep veterans’ stories in our minds, say them out loud, and help their families and them themselves wherever we can.”
Welcoming Mr Cotton, Hilary Meredith-Beckham, trustee and Standard Bearer at the St James’s Branch of the Royal British Legion and founder and chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, said: “As a trustee of the branch, I can’t wait to start working with Antony.”He has long been a supporter of our Armed Forces and will bring real passion and energy to the role.”
For more information on RBL’s St James’s Branch, including how to join, visit www.rbl-stjames.org.uk.