Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reveals he helped foil IRA bomb plot when he was 21
DEFENCE Secretary Ben Wallace has described how he helped foil an IRA bomb plot as he paid a Remembrance Day tribute to the fallen.
He hailed the armed forces as “the backbone and safety net” of Britain - and recounted his own narrow escape when his unit captured a terrorist gang.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Mr Wallace told how as a 21-year-old, he found himself staring at a bomb in a glass sweetie jar primed to blow up British troops.
He said: “One day, my patrol was coming up West Belfast back to our base when one of the soldiers spotted someone moving suspiciously.
How to be a poppy star
THE pandemic may have stopped thousands of sellers from hitting the streets — but it doesn’t have to stop you from buying a poppy. MIKE RIDLEY looks at some of the ways you can do your bit for the appeal by going to:
- Fundraise for appeal: Move to Remember and the 11/11 Challenge are among the fundraising suggestions from the appeal itself. Free fundraising packs on the website will give the help and support you will need.
- Poppies in the post: Help make up for the reduced number of volunteer collectors by requesting 20 poppies free of charge from the RBL — and then giving them to friends and family yourself in return for a donation.
- My poppy run 2020: Run, walk or jog any distance, anywhere and at any time. Get family and friends involved to raise cash. And buy a T-shirt to run in and a medal to give to yourself afterwards!
- Visit the poppy shop: There is an extensive range of products from poppy pins and jewellery to clothing, stationery and homeware. All profits fund the Legion’s work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
- Make online donation: Alternatively, you could just visit the British Legion’s website and make a donation. You can choose a one-off payment or set up a regular amount — and no amount is too small.
…OR POP INTO YOUR LOCAL SAINSBURY’S, TESCO, ASDA, ALDI OR MORRISONS AND BUY A POPPY
“A lot of whether it’s Russia from abroad or the cyber threat or terrorism elsewhere. We are also in some of the toughest parts of the world, helping the Iraqis defeat IS, training forces in Africa to stand up against extremism and radicalisation and helping our friends in the Baltic and Scandinavia stand up against Russian interference in their countries.
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“That’s what we are there for, that’s what we are about. There’s no clap for these heroes. It’s not a clap for carers.
“But the best way you can do something to show your support is to buy a poppy.”
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