AN EX-SERVICEMAN who spent a long army career in the Tank Regiment after choosing to go into the army just after the Second World War had finished is supporting the poppy appeal.

David Blower, 79, of High View, Hitchin, decided to join up to the army a week after the Second World War ended.

He stayed there until 1971, before returning to Hitchin, where he has lived ever since.

“During the Second World War, I was a young evacuee, and I spent time during that with nine or ten different families,” explained Mr Blower.

“School was not something I really enjoyed. Then towards the end of the war, my mother told me that the army ran an apprenticeship scheme.

“There was an exam system then, so I was sent to Ipswich to take the exams, which I passed.”

Mr Blower, who is originally from Suffolk, spent his time in countries such as Hong Kong and Germany looking after and repairing tanks, aircraft and equipment.

He was also sent to work on a special project in Australia, where he was involved with designing a missile.

“It was great fun, then sometimes it was anything but fun,” said Mr Blower.

“I enjoyed it generally speaking. It had its moments but that’s life.”

Mr Blower is a member of the Hitchin branch of the Royal British Legion, and has been involved in the poppy appeal.