The flash of red and green pinned to a lapel has been made synonymous with war heroes thanks to hundreds of volunteer poppy collectors who give up their time to help remember and support ex service men and women. Scott Mullins speaks to a man who has been unselfishly collecting for 60 years.

IN THE summer of 1948 London basked in international glory as it hosted the Olympic games and Wembley stadium groaned under the weight of 85,000 cheering fans in the opening ceremony.

That year also saw Rowland Hill pick up his collection tin for the first time and begin his rounds in Petts Wood, asking for half crowns, shillings and pence for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Three years earlier the Second World War had ended and in January 1948 Mr Hill became a new member at the legion’s Petts Wood branch.

The 87-year-old explains that things were very different in 1948 compared with the poppy round he still completes today - an amazing 60 years on.

The grandfather-of-six said: “I was born in 1921, the same year the British Legion started so in a way we are twins.

“My uncle got killed by a sniper in the First World War and my mother always said I had to support the legion no matter what.

“I remember in the 50s I used to deliver copies of the Legion Journal newsletter on my bike until I had an accident on the corner of Crescent Drive.

“It didn’t stop me though, I used to do the round in a car after that!”

He added: “Petts Wood was very different back then. You could kick the dust off in London and be in the countryside within 25 minutes.”

Palestine posting

Mr Hill first began collecting from odd-numbered houses in Kingsway and even-numbered houses in Wood Ride but his round has grown over the years to include Crofton Lane, Towncourt lane and Bushey Avenue.

Too short for the Navy, the father-of-two saw action during the Second World War in the Italian campaign with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, before being posted to Palestine.

The widower said: “I was supposed to get posted to Burma but they dropped the two atomic bombs and we were sent to Haifa instead.

“I loved it over there because it gave me time to photograph the religious buildings which I was very keen on doing.”

The life-long Petts Wood resident has also been a leading figure in organising the Petts Wood Remembrance Day service and parade for 40 years and received a life membership from the Royal British Legion in 1998.

Mr Hill says he has no plans to retire and will be out collecting as usual this month in the build up to November 11, adding: “I don’t have any regrets and keep going after all these years because of all the friendly and generous people I meet.”

Leading charity

The Royal British Legion is a charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces and their families.

The legion provides assistance with loans for small businesses and property repairs while offering advice on benefits and debt issues.

It also provides short and long-term care for ex-service people in one of seven Poppy Homes around the country.

The legion also arranges tours to war cemeteries, memorials and battlefields across the globe.

For more information on how you can donate or support the Royal British Legion visit poppy.org.uk.