CBE for ex Combat Stress chair

It's been announced that a former chair of service charity Combat Stress has been honoured for the voluntary work he's done for the organisation with a CBE.

The charity helps people who used to be British soldiers and other ex-armed forces members who have mental health problems.

It has a lengthy history and just last month celebrated its 95th anniversary, having first been founded in the wake of World War One.

Major General Peter Currie chaired the charity between 2007 and 2013 – a time when it saw much evolution and expansion.

He's now been made Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Mr Currie said that in receiving the CBE he wanted to pay tribute to the charity's staff for the wonderful work they do, as well as trustees on account of their commitment.

"Between them they have taken this important charity to a new level and helped thousands of our veterans," he added.

The current chair of the charity, Lieutenant General Andrew Graham CB CBE, has explained that, since Currie left the army, his life has been devoted to veteran welfare, with Combat Stress and at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

"Recognition of that work is utterly deserved. All here are delighted," he said.

A range of service charities – Combat Stress among them – are to receive fundraising help from the Tower of London this summer.

Coming Home, the Confederation of Service Charities, Help for Heroes, SSAFA and the Royal British Legion have been chosen to receive money raised through an installation at the Tower called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, Historic Royal Palaces says.

Ceramic poppies involved in the event – an installation in the Tower's moat – are going to be purchased by the public in a fundraising effort that could bring in over £15 million for the charities involved.