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This weekend, as the nation marks Remembrance, Nottingham Forest will proudly honour the men and women of our Armed Forces.

The Premier League fixture against Leeds United will spotlight the extraordinary veterans involved in the Forest Forces programme, a vital initiative run by the Nottingham Forest Community Trust, alongside current serving Military personnel.

The Royal British Legion will be in attendance around the stadium pre-match. We encourage supporters to show their appreciation and support their vital fundraising efforts.

Prior to kick-off, fans are asked to join the club in welcoming a large, distinguished group of veterans from the Forest Forces programme, alongside serving members of The Mercian Regiment, onto the pitch.

Forest Forces, launched in 2018, works to combat social isolation and support the mental and physical wellbeing of veterans and public service personnel. The Trust’s deep commitment to this community is underscored by its possession of the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

The veterans taking part represent a wealth of service and courage, with operational experience spanning decades and continents, including Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia.

We ask all supporters to take a moment to read the remarkable service records of the individuals lining up pitch side this weekend:

Wreath Layers 

• Captain Marc Giles CGC: Served with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and The Mercian Regiment. Marc has served on operations around the world, including Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Estonia. He has also been fortunate enough to travel to other countries around the globe, including Kenya, Canada, Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Croatia, Romania, and many more. Marc was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) for his actions in Afghanistan.
• Ben Lukowski: A former Royal Marine and double gold medallist at the Invictus Games, Ben joined the Royal Marines in 2006 and was 16 years into his service before being injured. Now with a degree in Sports Management, Ben has won 2 golds at the Invictus Games for indoor rowing and his team came fourth in sitting volleyball. In February 2023, he came second in the Ultimate Champion at the Wounded Warriors Trials in America, alongside US Marine Corps personnel in recovery.Later that year, he took part in the Australian Trilogy, organised by charity 65 Degrees North, which support wounded and injured service personnel. It saw Ben and his teammates parachute from 15,000 feet onto Noosa Beach, before cycling 1,000 miles into the outback, scaling Mount Kosciuszko and finishing at Sydney Opera House.

Forest Forces / Serving Personnel

• Adrian “Chutch” Gamble: Served from 1993 to 2002 with 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Completed two tours in Bosnia and three in Northern Ireland.
• Andrew Harrison MBE: Left the Corps of Royal Engineers after 24 years of full-time service. Completed operational tours of Afghanistan and Bosnia and was awarded the MBE for military distinction.
• Damian Cowlishaw: Joined 3WFR D Company (TA/Reserve) at age 18, reaching Lance Corporal.
• Major (Retired) David Gell: Served 39 years, joining the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimentbefore flying helicopters with the Army Air Corps. Saw active service in Northern Ireland and the First Gulf War.
• Jack Leek: Served in the Royal Horse Artillery from 2003 to 2012, deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic 10.
• Captain Lee Jones: A proud native of Clifton, Captain Jones has served over 27 years, completing multiple operational deployments to Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Cyprus.
• Lee Rogers: Served 23 years, including the 1st Gulf War and tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Afghanistan as a three-tour officer.
• Linda Randall: Served 44 years as a Nurse in the NHS, including 32 years in the QARANC (TA). She was called up for service during the Gulf War 1.
• Mick Hancock: Served for 38 years, retiring at the rank of RSM (WO1). Mick served on operations in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan and was awarded the QVRM.
• Neil Fawkes: Served from 1976 to 2001, completing 4 tours of Northern Ireland and the Gulf War 1990/91. Received a commendation for valuable service in Northern Ireland.
• Paul Mullis: Served 35 years as a soldier in the WFR and Mercian Regiment, seeing service in Northern Ireland and Germany.
• WO1 (Retired) Richard Keeton: Served 25 years with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimentand The Mercian Regiment. Completed operational tours including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.
• Steven Hill: Joined the Sherwood Foresters in 1970, serving until 1994 as a Warrant Officer. Completed specialist courses in Jungle Warfare, Winter Warfare, and French Commando.
• Tim Garbutt: A reservist in the RAF Regiment for 28 years, Tim served on operational tours in Kuwait/Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bugler

The Act of Remembrance will include the playing of The Last Post by bugler Luke Pallister. Luke began his musical journey with the Salvation Army Band in Nottingham and has performed with prestigious ensembles including the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Foden’s Band. Now the Musical Director for Thoresby Colliery Band.

Following the introduction, Captain Marc Giles CGC and Ben Lukowski will conduct the traditional wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a minute’s silence.

This matchday tribute is a powerful demonstration of the club and Trust’s enduring commitment to the Armed Forces community. We urge all supporters to reflect on the immense service and sacrifice of all those introduced today and every veteran across the region. Nottingham Forest is proud to stand alongside Forest Forces, ensuring that the dedication of our service personnel is honoured, and their transition back to civilian life is fully supported.

We will remember them.