Where the Wild Poppies Grow

I have known Kevin Bell since he joined The Queen’s Royal Lancers in Germany in 1996. Our paths have crossed frequently since then, and I was honoured to attend his Induction as Vicar at All Hallows Church Twickenham. He was a great military chaplain. He was always in the right place at the right time, with the knack of understanding what our soldiers were really thinking. He also, always spoke truth to power – a rare quality. So, we all admired, respected and loved him.

These thoughtful - and sometimes haunting – poems, cover a period of high operational tempo for the British Army. I recommend that you read them, slowly over the weeks ahead. You will quickly realise that Padre Kevin cared deeply about those under his spiritual wing. You will also be reminded that there is a price to pay for all our Padres, who are asked to deal, as their daily bread and butter, with the darkest parts of life and death…

General Sir James Everard – KCB CBE

Caroline Wyatt - is a distinguished War Correspondent and Journalist. We met at The Guards’ Chapel in London where I was Senior Chaplain. I retired from the army in 2015 and became a Vicar in the Diocese of London. In that role I sent Caroline two of my poems. She responded so warmly that I decided to select more poems with a military flavour. She read all of them and encouraged my plans to produce this book.

Remembering and Remembrance are the obvious themes throughout all that I have written in these pages. But it is also important: to give something back. Hence the small but significant charity that I have elected to support with this book.

Please consider supporting those who have paid a price for the freedoms we enjoy.

Kevin Bell – Vicar of All Hallows Church Twickenham