Jerome Church

Amputee and Member & General Secretary

Making light of his injuries, Jerome says that he first came across BLESMA ‘whilst languishing in a military hospital bed contemplating the changed life ahead a few weeks after being injured.’ This humour is typical of Jerome and the many service men who have lost limbs whilst serving their country.

Indeed, when another limbless BLESMA Member asked Jerome what his injury was he explained that he had lost a leg. When asked whether it was ‘below the knee or above the knee’ Jerome explained that it was below the knee. The response was ‘Oh, just a flesh wound’.

After Jerome was injured by the booby trap in Northern Ireland two gentlemen appeared at his bedside – with a bottle of pale ale and a packet of cigarettes (it was the early 70s). They proceeded to tell him about BLESMA and how it had helped them over the 28 years since the end of the Second World War.

Jerome says ‘I was always immensely grateful for that support and indeed for the camaraderie I felt part of shortly thereafter when I found myself in the heroic and awesome company of some of our then ‘ancient’ mariners at a sailing regatta off the Isle of Wight. I was inspired!’

Jerome continues ‘Now, as General Secretary, I find myself repaying an everlasting debt of gratitude – by hopefully inspiring those who join us in this day and age and by putting in place all the experience and the legendary support that BLESMA is famous for. My injuries are slight compared to many who have borne real pain and suffering for many long years and insignificant compared to so many of our new Members.’

Jerome believes that his fellow Members, the wives and partners who provide so much support and their widows who gave so much, are now his heroes.