From Comradeship to Challenge – The Not Forgotten Association Norther Ireland

Tri-service members of The Not Forgotten Association Northern Ireland.

Photos by John O’Byrne

It was great to meet for the first-time members and veterans of The Not Forgotten Association Northern Ireland. The charity held a veterans’ lunch at the AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast Thank you to Ben Higgins, the associations Vice-Chairman, who introduced us to the work of this amazing veterans’ charity. Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland – Danny Kinahan – attended the lunch and met and chatted with veterans from across Northern Ireland.

Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland – Danny Kinahan and Ben Higgins – Vice Chairman, The Not Forgotten Association Northern Ireland.

The Not Forgotten Association was founded by the American born soprano Miss Marta Cunningham CBE, in 1920, and is a registered charity. Following the Great War, she was horrified to find so many wounded servicemen lying injured in hospitals up and down the country. Cunningham established The Not Forgotten with the objective of providing entertainment and recreation for the war wounded. Through social activities and challenge holidays, The Not Forgotten today combats isolation and loneliness amongst the British Armed Forces community. They support any serving man or woman who is wounded, injured or sick and any veteran with a disability, illness or infirmity; whatever the cause and whenever it arose. The Not Forgotten Association Northern Ireland was established by former British Army officer Sir Frederick William Moneypenny CVO, CBE in 1930 to provide voluntary and charitable services to Tri-Service veterans and the family connections of ex-service personnel. The Not Forgotten Association Northern Ireland works for the benefit of disabled ex-service personnel, and those serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick (WIS). Their aim is to provide outings, entertainment and respite breaks to disabled ex-military personal.

A selection of photographs from The Not Forgotten Association veterans’ lunch.

This project is supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the NI Veterans Commissioner’s Office. Special thank you to the members of the Not Forgotten Association.