Author: Jules Bearman

Our Victory Services Club employees have been busy supporting the local community through two volunteering projects arranged by Marble Arch BID.

🏫 A fresh start for Essendine Primary School
Our volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help prepare the school for the new term, repainting the sports hall and classroom, moving furniture, cleaning outdoor areas and tidying planters and grounds.

Read more about the Essendine Primary School project

🎨 Getting creative with LDN London
Three VSC employees joined adults with learning disabilities at LDN London’s West Kilburn hub for a creative session painting colourful wildlife and carnival masks, while spending time socialising, sharing stories and making connections.

Read more about the VSC day with LDN London

We’re extremely proud of our VSC employees for giving their time to support these local charities and community organisations.

New Trustees bring valuable experience to support the VSC’s Charitable Mission

The Victory Services Club has welcomed two new trustees whose complementary experience will help it strengthen its commercial activities, reach more members of the Armed Forces community and expand its charitable support.

Heather Lishman and Air Vice-Marshal Tamara Jennings join a board that combines military knowledge with expertise from the legal, finance, hospitality, events, communications and marketing sectors. Both bring more than 30 years of experience in their respective fields, but from very different perspectives.

Heather is well known across the events industry through her work as Association Director of ABPCO, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers. Her career has also included hotel and venue operations, sales, key account management, quality assessment and membership organisations.

This breadth of experience will be particularly valuable as the Club continues to develop its events business. Income generated through conferences, meetings, accommodation, food and beverage helps the Club keep its prices accessible for members and fund its charitable work.

Colin Francis CBE, Club Secretary and CEO of the Victory Services Club, said: “Heather’s appointment is a major coup for the Club. She brings more than 30 years of events experience and an exceptional understanding of the association sector.

“She will bring a knowledgeable and critical eye to our events business, helping us identify new opportunities, improve what we already do and reach a broader range of clients. The better we perform commercially, the more we can do from a charitable perspective.”

Air Vice-Marshal Tamara Jennings brings extensive senior leadership experience from a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. A former Director of Legal Services and head of the RAF Legal Branch, she also has connections across all three Armed Forces and the wider defence community.

Her knowledge and networks will help the Club communicate with serving RAF personnel around the world, as well as veterans and their families. This will support efforts to ensure more eligible people know about the Club, the benefits of membership and the charitable help available to them.

Colin added: “Tamara understands the RAF from the inside and knows how to reach its different communities. Her connections extend beyond the RAF into the wider defence community, and she will help us raise awareness of the Club among both serving personnel and veterans.”

The appointments come as the Club looks to build on a record year for its charitable programme. During the 12 months to the end of March, it delivered 307 Respite & Welfare and Reward & Recognition Breaks for members of the serving Armed Forces community and their families.

These breaks can provide vital time away for people experiencing bereavement, serious illness, injury or other challenging circumstances. They typically include accommodation for the whole family, meals and tickets to a London attraction, removing everyday pressures and giving families the opportunity to spend valuable time together and create lasting memories.

Having achieved its previous ambitions for the programme, the Club now wants to increase its support and begin extending appropriate provision into the veteran community.

Heather and Tamara will contribute to that goal in different but connected ways: Heather by helping the Club strengthen the commercial income that makes its charitable work possible, and Tamara by helping it reach more people across the serving and veteran communities.

Colin said: “What has impressed me most is the passion Heather and Tamara have both shown for our charitable work. They understand the difference these breaks can make and are keen to help us extend that support to more military families.

“All our trustees are volunteers. They give an enormous amount of their own time, alongside their professional and family commitments, to support the charity. Heather and Tamara bring fresh perspectives and considerable experience, but they will also be involved in every aspect of the Club as we plan for its future.”

Together, their appointments strengthen the balance of skills on the board and will help the Victory Services Club continue evolving while keeping its members and charitable purpose at the heart of every decision.

The Victory Services Club’s Sales and Marketing Team has been named a finalist for Sales and Marketing Team of the Year at the 2026 miaList Awards.

The seven-person team has delivered an exceptional year for the Club, increasing events revenue by 26.9% and achieving 129% of its revenue target. It handled 950 enquiries, delivered 553 events and maintained a 40% conversion rate, while 85% of bookings came from repeat customers.

The team has also transformed the Club’s marketing activity. Website users increased by 171%, social media engagement rose by 201% and digital content generated more than 4.8 million views.

Colin Francis CBE, CEO and Club Secretary of the Victory Services Club, said: “Our Sales and Marketing Team has delivered the best event sales in the Club’s history, and being named a miaList finalist is thoroughly deserved recognition of its hard work, creativity and commitment.

“What makes these results particularly meaningful is that every event held at the Club supports our charitable work. The team’s success helped us provide a record 214 Respite & Welfare Breaks for serving personnel, veterans and their families during 2025/26. It is a wonderful example of commercial success creating a direct and positive social impact.”

The miaList Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and teams helping to raise standards across the UK’s business meetings and events industry.

Remembrance Weekend is always a highlight of the year at the VSC. Alongside the national commemorations, the Club provides a convenient meeting place in London for friends and former colleagues, many of whom return each November. The weekend brings together members of all generations, from regular visitors to those making a special journey to mark a particular anniversary or occasion.

This year, our newly refurbished 1907 Bar will be the setting for the weekend’s gatherings. Following his popular performances in previous years, Adam Christopher-Rhys will return, with guest singer, to provide Saturday evening’s entertainment. There will also be plenty of opportunity for conversation and catching up throughout the evening.

Members mentioned last year how much they valued time to catch up with old friends and former colleagues after the march and lunches on Remembrance Sunday. With this in mind, there will be no entertainment in the 1907 Bar on Sunday, giving everyone the chance to enjoy a drink, share stories and spend time together without interruption.

As the Club is likely to be very busy throughout the weekend, we strongly recommend that anyone wishing to dine with us books the Club Restaurant in advance. On Sunday, breakfast service will begin earlier than usual to accommodate members and guests attending Remembrance events and parades across London. Full details of dining options and service times will be communicated closer to the date.

CEO and Club Secretary, Colin Francis CBE, adds: “These informal gatherings at the VSC are an important part of Remembrance Weekend, bringing together members, families and friends from across the Club community. I look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible over the course of the weekend.”

“A story about Nepal; but more than that, a story about people. “
— Hari Budha Magar MBE

Join us at the VSC, for an inspiring evening with Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn exploring an extraordinary journey across Nepal unlike any other.

📍 Friday, 16th October 2026
🕛 18:00-20:00 (to include arrival drinks of Prosecco, bottled beer and soft drinks)
🎟️ Tickets £20 per person

Please note: Tickets for this event are on sale now and must be booked directly on the Ticket Source website. They are not available for purchase from the VSC. All ticket sale proceeds will be equally shared between the VSC Charity (including support towards fully funded Respite & Welfare Breaks for serving personnel) and the The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal.

In 2023, before taking up his appointment as Field Director of The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal, Johnny set out to walk the length of Nepal from west to east – entirely on foot, without a map, and relying solely on the people he met along the way.

Over 114 days and nearly 2,000 kilometres, he crossed remote hill districts, river valleys and mountain ridgelines, sleeping in a tent, staying with local families, and experiencing a side of Nepal rarely seen by outsiders.

What began as an adventure soon became something much deeper. Travelling at walking pace opened doors to conversations and friendships that would never have happened from the window of a vehicle. Along the way, Johnny encountered extraordinary generosity, resilience and humour from people living in some of the most remote communities in the country.

Illustrated with stunning photography and personal stories from the trek, this presentation brings to life the landscapes, cultures and communities of Nepal through the eyes of someone who spent four months immersed in them.

Part travel story, part adventure, and part reflection on what really matters in life,  The Nepali Way: 114 Days Crossing Nepal Without a Map  is a fascinating account of a journey measured not in miles, but in people.

Whether you have a military connection, an interest in Nepal and the Gurkhas, a love of travel, or simply enjoy hearing stories of remarkable human experiences, this promises to be an entertaining and thought-provoking evening.

Drawing on material from his forthcoming book,  The Nepali Way: 114 Days Crossing Nepal Without a Map , Johnny will share photographs, stories, challenges, lessons learned, and the unforgettable people who made the journey possible.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn served 25 years in the British Army, including 16 with the Brigade of Gurkhas. An explorer and professional photographer specialising in adventure and expedition work, he walked the length of Nepal in 2023; 114 days and 1,400 miles from Baitadi to Taplejung without a map…raising £50,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

His earlier book Light and Life in the Middle Hills captured life in the hills; The Nepali Way now tells the full story of that extraordinary trek, the people he met, and the landscapes that shaped it.

Johnny is currently Field Director of the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Nepal.

Victory Services Club CEO and Club Secretary, Colonel Colin Francis CBE, is the latest guest on The Veteran Voice, where he joins host Mike Davis-Marks OBE to discuss his distinguished military career, his transition from Army service to civilian life, and his focus on supporting the Armed Forces community in his role at the VSC.

During the interview, Colin reflects on joining the Army at just 16 years old and serving for 36 years, including operational tours in the Gulf, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He also shares leadership lessons gained throughout his career, discusses the challenges many veterans face when leaving the Armed Forces, and explains why the skills developed through military service continue to be so highly valued beyond the military.

The conversation also shines a spotlight on the work of the Victory Services Club and its mission to support serving personnel, veterans and their families. While the VSC is well known for its welcoming accommodation and dining facilities, Colin emphasises that the Club is, first and foremost, a charity. He highlights the Club’s Respite & Welfare Breaks programme, which provides vital support to members of the Armed Forces community, demonstrating the VSC’s enduring commitment to those who serve, and those who have served.

The episode offers members an engaging insight into Colin’s personal journey, his approach to leadership, and the important role the Victory Services Club continues to play in supporting the wider Armed Forces community.

We hope members will enjoy watching the full episode of The Veteran Voice to hear Colin’s story and learn more about the work and charitable mission of the Victory Services Club. To do so, please click on the video link below.

With thanks and credit to theveteran.uk and The Pod Collective.

Yesterday, more than 130 members and guests gathered at the Victory Services Club for our Summer Lunch, marking 44 years since the Falklands Conflict.

Guests enjoyed an exceptional meal prepared by our award-winning chefs, followed by compelling first-hand accounts from two distinguished speakers who experienced the conflict from different perspectives—at sea and on land.

Photo above left to right: Sergeant Thomas ‘Tom’ Herring and Major General Jeff Mason MBE RM 

Major General Jeff Mason MBE RM

In April 1982, Jeff Mason, then a young Royal Marines Lieutenant, was recalled from Lympstone to rejoin HMS INTREPID and sailed south with the Task Force.

He took part in the landings at San Carlos Water, deployed ashore as a watchkeeper, commanded landing craft—including a foray to West Falkland—and assisted in securing the surrender at Fox Bay/Port Howard, before returning to the UK with a more realistic and mature perspective on life.

Sergeant Thomas ‘Tom’ Herring, Parachute Regiment

In April 1982, Sergeant Tom Herring was serving with 3 PARA’s Training Wing when he was placed on immediate notice and deployed south with the Task Force.

On arrival, he commanded a composite platoon protecting Battalion HQ and supported rifle companies in defence and attack, including the battle for Mount Longdon. The experience left him with enduring memories of the cost of war, the courage of his comrades, and great pride in having fought for British territory alongside the “class of ’82.”

Their candid reflections conveyed the courage and resilience of those who served, the human cost of war and the lasting effect of their experiences.

We were also delighted to welcome many Falklands Veterans, whose presence added special significance to the occasion and gave everyone an opportunity to recognise their service. Those who attended left with a deeper understanding of the conflict and renewed respect for all who served in this conflict.

Our sincere thanks go to Major General Jeff Mason MBE RM and Sergeant Tom Herring for sharing their stories, and to everyone who joined us for the event.

Pictured above, from left to right: Andy Williams, Mark Field, Lionel Gresham, Andy Jackson MBE and Peter Mawer.

Artwork with a special connection to the Falklands Conflict has been donated to the Victory Services Club by the Royal Marines Association Portsmouth.

The print originally belonged to Peter Mawer, who sailed to the Falklands aboard SS Canberra in 1982 and returned with 3 Commando Brigade. More recently, Peter donated the artwork to a Royal Navy and Royal Marines children’s charity event organised by Andy Jackson MBE, where it was acquired at auction by Lionel Gresham.

Having stayed regularly at the VSC over the years, Lionel has always been impressed by the remarkable collection of military artwork and photographs displayed throughout the Club. So it seemed only fitting that a print with such a strong connection to the Royal Marines, and one of the most significant chapters in recent British military history, should join that collection.

Together with the Royal Marines Association Portsmouth, Lionel was therefore delighted to formally present the artwork to General Manager, Mark Field, at the VSC, where it can be enjoyed by serving personnel, veterans, members and visitors for many years to come.

The SS Canberra and the Falklands

Requisitioned by the British Government in April 1982, the passenger liner SS Canberra was rapidly converted into a troopship and sailed south as part of the British Task Force. Nicknamed the “Great White Whale” because of her distinctive white hull, Canberra carried thousands of troops to the South Atlantic and played an important role in the landings at San Carlos Water on 21st May 1982.

Following the Argentine surrender on 14th June 1982, Canberra was used to transport Argentine prisoners of war before embarking British forces for the journey home. Her return to Southampton in July 1982 became one of the enduring images associated with the homecoming of British forces from the Falklands.

The donation to the VSC ensures that this print – and the remarkable personal story that accompanies it – will remain a lasting reminder of SS Canberra and all those who served during the Falklands Conflict.

Guest Speaker: Patricia Keppie, Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Join us for September’s Club Secretary’s Lunch, when we are delighted to welcome Patricia Keppie from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) as our special guest speaker. Patricia worked at the Commission until 2024 as a Public Engagement Coordinator, and now volunteers in various roles.

At the lunch, Patricia will offer a fascinating insight into the history and work of the CWGC, revealing some of the stories behind the headstones and memorials that ensure the sacrifices of Commonwealth servicemen and women are never forgotten.

📍 Wednesday, 9th September 2026
🕛 12 noon
🥂 £45 per person – includes a three-course lunch and half a bottle of wine
👔 Dress code: Smart Casual

Please note that September’s Club Secretary’s Lunch will take place on a Wednesday, rather than the usual Thursday.

About the CWGC

The Menin Gate, one of the CWGC’s most recognised memorials, which has its centenary in 2027

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) ensures that those who died in service, or as a result of conflict, are commemorated and that the human cost of war is never forgotten. Today, the CWGC cares for war graves at 23,000 locations across more than 150 countries and territories, commemorating almost 1.7 million people who died during the two World Wars. Its global team continues to care for cemeteries and memorials, research missing names and historical records, and ensure that all those who fell are equally remembered.

Through education, volunteering and visitor programmes, the CWGC is also helping future generations understand the importance of remembrance. To find out more about the work of the CWGC, visit the CGWC website at: https://www.cwgc.org

This promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking Club Secretary’s Lunch, offering a rare opportunity to discover more about the places and stories behind the CWGC’s work.

Dear Members,

Exciting Improvements Coming to the VSC Lounge Bar

We are delighted to announce a major investment in the VSC, with a complete refurbishment of the Lounge Bar taking place throughout August and early September. This exciting project is designed to transform one of the Club’s most popular spaces, creating a fresh, contemporary environment that will further enhance the experience for all members and their guests.

To enable these improvements, the Lounge Bar will close after service on Friday, 31st July 2026, with a planned reopening on Thursday, 10th September 2026.

During this time, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding. As the Club will be operating with reduced capacity, some areas may be busier than usual. However, our commitment to delivering the high standards of service you know and expect will remain unchanged.

Bar service will continue to be available from the Navy Lounge and the Coffee Bar within the Club restaurant, ensuring members can continue to enjoy the Club throughout the refurbishment.

This investment marks another important step in the on-going enhancement of the VSC, and we are confident the new Lounge Bar will provide a welcoming, stylish and comfortable space for members to relax, socialise and enjoy for many years to come.

We look forward to sharing progress updates over the coming weeks and can’t wait to welcome you back to the newly refurbished Lounge Bar in September.

Colin Francis CBE
CEO & Club Secretary

Important Notice

As part of ongoing improvements to the Club, a new heat curtain will be installed above the main entrance on Tuesday, 9th June. To allow these works to be completed safely, the main entrance will be unavailable throughout the day.

During this time, all members and visitors should use the Carisbrooke Hall entrance as the primary access point to the Club. Porters will be available at the Carisbrooke Hall entrance to provide assistance as required.

The installation is expected to take approximately 8 hours, with works commencing from around 08:00.

For members and guests checking in or checking out of the Club, as well as those visiting the Lounge Bar or other areas of the Club, access will be via the restaurant. The VSC team will be on hand throughout the day to direct members and visitors accordingly.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and cooperation while these improvement works are carried out.

The VSC Team

What a memorable evening for the VSC!

Club Secretary and CEO Colin Francis CBE gave a warm welcome to singer, songwriter, and now filmmaker John Parr at the VSC. John was later joined by the cast of his BAFTA Cymru–winning short film A Pack of Five. Also in attendance was Elsa Davies, in support of the Hedd Wyn charity.

The evening, and the film itself, were inspired by the life, work and enduring legacy of Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn (“Blessed Peace”). Elsa Davies, widow of Gerald Williams, nephew of the poet, continues the work her husband began—honouring a lifelong commitment to preserving and sharing Hedd Wyn’s story.

The evening featured powerful recitals of Hedd Wyn’s poetry by Elsa and the cast, bringing the beauty and lyricism of the Welsh language vividly to life—even for those unfamiliar with it. Through these performances, the audience gained a deeper understanding of Hedd Wyn’s legacy and the profound impact of his short life.

Hedd Wyn was posthumously awarded the bard’s chair at the 1917 National Eisteddfod—one of Wales’s highest cultural honours. That year’s festival became known as “Eisteddfod y Gadair Ddu” (“The Eisteddfod of the Black Chair”).

Inspired by war poetry, John Parr has long sought to tell stories of resilience and human struggle. Deeply moved by Hedd Wyn’s life and work, he wrote and directed A Pack of Five, a beautifully crafted and poignant film exploring the emotional aftermath of First World War battle.

The film follows five soldiers who meet and share a cigarette from a pack of five. As their conversation unfolds, it becomes clear their lives are connected through encounters with Hedd Wyn—a truly beautiful and powerful narrative.

The cast—featuring Rhodri Evan, Simon Nehan, Scott Gutteridge, Rhodri Lewis, and Ddraig Williams—were present at the evening, and generously shared with the VSC audience insights into their experience of filming, which took place entirely on location in Tegryn, Pembrokeshire. Despite challenging conditions—including a storm across the Welsh hills—the production achieved stunning results. Parr noted that whenever Hedd Wyn’s words were spoken, the weather seemed to lift, with sunlight breaking through—a phenomenon reflected in the film’s remarkable cinematography.

It was a special event for the VSC, and we extend our sincere thanks to Elsa Davies and John Parr for their dedication in bringing Hedd Wyn’s legacy to our VSC audience. Funds raised will go to support the VSC Respite & Welfare Breaks, and the Hedd Wyn charity.

Coverage of the event appeared on BBC iPlayer as a feature on Welsh-language programme, Heno (23rd April 2026).  Click the link below to view full coverage of the programme (much of which is in Welsh). The feature on A Pack of Five at the VSC begins at about 17 minutes into the programme.

Click here: Heno (Welsh Language) on BBC iPlayer