Property
Published: November 13, 2023 | Updated: 13th November 2023
Luke Wallis, a Barratt Homes Assistant Site Manager who spent 16 years in the British Army, paid his respects this weekend by laying a handmade wreath put together by his employer.
The 36-year-old, who joined Barratt Homes via its Armed Forces Transition Programme in May 2022, was in attendance at the Portsmouth Guildhall Remembrance Day event this weekend, having been keen to honour his past colleagues and other military personnel.
He was therefore happy to oblige when the housebuilder passed over a poppy wreath handmade especially to lay at services in the region.
The wreath, created by Barratt with the help of a team of volunteers from Portsmouth Salvation Army, was given to Luke ahead of the city’s Remembrance Day event on Sunday.
On the day the ex-serviceman was invited to lay the developer’s handmade tribute along with other members of the community.
Speaking on Sunday, Barratt Homes Assistant Site Manager, Luke said: “I spent a lot of time working in the Army, and it’s so important for me to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations every year.
“When Barratt asked if I could lay one of its handmade wreaths in Portsmouth today, I didn’t hesitate.
“The developer is a great supporter of the Armed Forces, and I started work with Barratt via its Armed Forces Transition Programme last year. The scheme has been a great way for me to reintegrate into civilian life, and I’m hugely grateful.”
Barratt Homes was keen to pay its respects to those who have served in the British Army over the years, and enlisted the help of the Portsmouth Salvation Army’s Craft and Friendship Group to knit a collection of poppies that could be made into memorial wreaths.
The team of volunteers took to the task with ease and knitted and crocheted 75 fabulous varieties of the red flower that the housebuilder could use.
Along with being laid at Portsmouth Guildhall, another one of the handmade garlands is now taking pride of place at Barratt Homes’ Pebble Walk development on Hayling Island.
Tammy Bishop, Barratt Homes Sales Director, Southampton Division, said: “We support several initiatives associated with the Armed Forces at Barratt and Remembrance Day is an important day of commemoration for us.
“We are pleased that Luke has taken part in Portsmouth’s service this year, and that our handmade poppies are now ‘remembering’ those who’ve fought for our country across the region.”
Barratt supports several initiatives associated with the Armed Forces, including the sponsorship of the Royal British Legion for two years and recruits former services personnel through its Armed Forces Transition Programme.
Its former services personnel attend various Remembrance Day events around the region and lay poppy wreaths as a mark of respect.
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