Wakefield Care Home Celebrates Veterans with Wartime Memories, Military Vehicles and Music

Wartime memories, military vehicles and music from the 1930s and 1940s were all part of a special celebration at a Wakefield care home, as residents, veterans, families and members of the local community came together to mark its new Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) Accreditation.

Lofthouse Grange and Lodge Care Home hosted the celebration last weekend to recognise the military service and life stories of its residents, while officially marking its achievement of Veteran Friendly status.
The Veteran Friendly Framework is a national initiative supporting care homes to better understand the experiences and needs of veterans, identify those who have served, and ensure their military backgrounds remain an important part of their care and identity.

The event was attended by Councillor Brian Moorhouse, Mayor of Wakefield, who unveiled the home’s new Veteran Friendly Care Home plaque and congratulated the team on the accolade.

Guests included local veterans and veterans from the Sheffield Para Regimental Association, who brought a fascinating collection of military memorabilia, including medals, historic First and Second World War vehicles and other military artefacts.

For residents, the displays provided an opportunity to reminisce, share memories and talk about their own experiences of military life.

Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere, the Daisy Belles performed much-loved songs from the 1930s, 1940s and beyond, with residents and guests enjoying the live entertainment.

The home’s catering team also laid out a buffet, refreshments and snacks for everyone attending.

But at the heart of the celebration were the stories of the veterans and their families connected to Lofthouse Grange and Lodge.

Evelyn, a resident at the home, served for four years with the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), following a strong family tradition of military service. Her eldest brother was just 17 when he lost his life aboard HMS Ajax during the Second World War.

Another resident, Eric, served in the Army as a chef, preparing meals for around 600 men across two sittings every day. His story is a reminder that military service takes many forms, with countless roles behind the scenes helping to keep personnel supported and ready to serve.

Moira, who also lives at the home, served as a Navy nurse and was among the first women to test the ‘Bends Simulator’, used to train divers during the Second World War. Her pioneering experience highlights the important contribution women made to the Armed Forces, as well as the skill and courage required in roles that are perhaps less well known today.

The celebration also recognised resident Margaret and the distinguished military career of her husband, Colonel Alan Clive Roberts, whose work in military medicine, prosthetics and wound management made a lasting contribution to the field. Colonel Roberts rose to the rank of Colonel and received the Prince Philip Medal, MBE and OBE in recognition of his contribution. His story also provided an opportunity to recognise the families behind those who serve and the ways in which veterans can continue to make a difference long after their formal military careers have ended.

Krzysztof Bialczyk, Home Manager at Lofthouse Grange and Lodge Care Home, said: ‘A heartfelt thank you to Donna and Carol, our Activities Coordinators, for your incredible hard work, dedication and care in making our VFF Accreditation celebration so special.

‘Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us and helped celebrate this special achievement. Seeing the smiles on our residents’ faces made the day truly memorable. It is an absolute honour to be able to celebrate our local veterans and everything they did for our generation.’

For Lofthouse Grange and Lodge, the accreditation is about more than a plaque on the wall. It is about recognising the lives residents have lived, the service they have given and the experiences that have helped shape who they are. The home will continue to provide person-centred care, ensuring every resident’s individual life story, experiences and needs are understood, respected and valued.