Tommy Bar
Although he was a quadriplegic, Tommy was always fit and active. A cheerful bloke with a cheeky grin, Tommy was an International Table Tennis player. He was also part of the first British team to compete in the PVA Games.
Michael Bentine CBE
An ex-serviceman himself, Michael was our first Patron. When approached to lend his name to our 'cause', he wrote a personal letter to say how delighted he was to be asked. At the time we were a fledgling organisation and we thanked him for taking a chance on supporting us. Michael was always pleased and interested to receive our news letters, and especially liked to hear how the 'teams' were doing. Thanks Michael for supporting us and giving us the much needed credibility.
Ken Bridgeman
Ken was a Welshman who became British champion in Bowls and was also a member of the 1984 British Paralympic Team. Ken was also a good table tennis player and quite enjoyed a game of basketball too. A good natured, softly spoken man, Ken competed in our second PVA Games in San Antonio.
John Brooks (Jack)
Jack was ex Roval Navy, one of the first long time serving member of BEWSA, always ready with a seaman’s joke and full of life . Jack was an excellent archer winning many medals in his time; he loved attending the National Veterans Wheelchair Games where he had made many friends who still ask after him to this day.
Andy Bryce
Andy’s forte was field events although he was also an Oxford Blue in both rowing and rugby. A participant and medal winner in a number of PVA games, he also learned to dive with us and became an excellent diver. Andy was BEWSA’s equivalent to Stephen Fry (hasten to add he was ‘straight’ though). What Andy did not know wasn’t worth knowing. He once said ‘I’m just a rebel, trouble is I don’t know what I’m rebelling against’. He loved his books, and was fascinated by the world, the universe and people. He was just a lost soul really, a diamond peg that couldn’t be fitted into a conventional hole.
John Burke
John was a keen sportsman who enjoyed basketball and was an International Winter Sports Athlete. In fact he was a member of the first ever British Winter Sports team in 1982 and a member of the first British team to compete in the PVA games. John liked to be a bit of a ‘hell raiser’ and not only took the Norwegians on in the ice sledding, he took them on in the bar too. No mean feat that’s for sure, he even paid for his new sledge with whiskey. [The baggage handlers were on strike in Oslo and the CUSTOMS man actually carried John’s bag through for him. Never seen John sweat so much.] Still the Norwegian manufacturer was well pleased.
Robert Carmichael
Another quadriplegic who was a member of the first team to attend the PVA games. ‘Rab’ was a cheeky Scots comedian who was a good all -rounder, but being especially good at Table tennis and field events. Although not an international athlete, he did enjoy coming down to Stoke Mandeville for the National games every year.
Dave Clements
Dave Was an active member of BEWSA during the 1990s and early 2000s. However, although partially retired we did see him from time to time. He attended the Not Forgotten Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2011, and we sadly lost him shortly after.
Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG
Henry was one of BEWSA's first Patrons, and was a wonderfully warm person who seemed too gentle to be a boxer. When BEWSA had a publicity drive in the early 1990s, Henry was pleased to be asked to come and support us. Having served in the Royal Air Force himself, he was genuinely interested in our group and thought we were a very worthwhile organisation because at that time, there was nothing for the young disabled veteran in this country. Henry continued to support us until his untimely recent death. Thanks for caring so much Henry, you were a real trooper.
Terry Farrel
Terry was another of our Northern lads who had been competing in the National Stoke Mandeville games for many years. Joining BEWSA in the 1990s, Terry participated in the PVA games on a number of occasions, being quite proficient at nine ball and field events. Like quite a few of our members, Terry also found romance at the PVA games. It must have been good for him as he promptly retired from sport and we all lost touch.
Steve Foster
Steve joined BEWSA in our second year and competed in several PVA Games. Steve particularly enjoyed his basketball and some of the American Vets invited him to play for one of the Californian teams. He eventually bought his own place in the US, where he later took up competitive Bass fishing with the Florida Vets.
Wendy Hall
Wendy really enjoyed field events and won quite a few medals at the PVA games. An early riser, she was a great roommate at the games, who woke you up with a ‘cuppa’, no matter what unearthly hour you had to get up. Not that she ever woke you up gently. Lights on, bedclothes ripped off. ‘Oi, gerrup, yer teas ready.’ Bless, she did make a very good cuppa though. One of her biggest pleasures was her campervan, which she lived in when she came down to our sports weekends.
Dave Hickson
Another early member of BEWSA, Dave was both an International Fencer [1981] and a member of the first British International Winter Sports Team [1982]. He also enjoyed table tennis and basketball and participated in a couple of PVA games, before retiring to marry and start a family.
Ernie Hope
Ernie was one of our Northern members who competed in a variety of sports up to National level. He was also an accomplished Rally Driver during the 80s, and was probably the first Rally Driver in Britain to race using hand controls. A great character, Ernie also participated in a number of PVA Games and was a member of ‘THE WHEELS OF FIRE’ relay team.