BEHIND every Somerset Armed Forces Day is a dedicated team of volunteers who put an enormous amount of effort into ensuring the event’s success. Here we look at the stories a few of the key people involved and their connection to the event.
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Ed Cullen, Director and Chairman
Retired Major Ed Cullen joined the Army in August1979 as an Infantry Junior Leader at Norton Manor Camp, Taunton. Upon passing out, he joined his regiment First Battalion the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment in Berlin as part of the Guard Force guarding the infamous Rudolf Hess.
On competition of his tour of Berlin, Ed transferred to the Royal Army pay Corp which followed by many different tours of duty from as far spread as Hong Kong, Cyprus and Germany, where he was accompanied by his wife Jackie and three children, two of whom were born in overseas stations.
Ed participated in a few operational tours including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leon and Afghanistan. By 2001, he had worked through the ranks and commissioned in the rank of Captain in 2001.
Ed retired from the Army in January 2011 in the rank of Major and he has built up a thriving bar and catering company with his wife over the past 9 years.
Jason Hughes, Director and Vice Chairman
Jason was born in 1970 and joined the Army at the age of 17 in Bovington, Dorset. During his 12 years stationed in Germany with the Royal Tank Regiment, Jason travelled the world participating in multiple tours of Canada, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Poland.
In 1999, Jason retired from the forces and now works for the NHS. In his spare time, he works as a Funeral Operative and is an active member of the Taunton Veterans Breakfast Club. Since 2019, Jason has been a key member of Somerset Armed Forces Day Committee working tirelessly with his team to organise and host a free event for the Community of Somerset.
Stewart Leach MBE
Born in Devon and raised in Somerset, Stewart joined the Army in 1974 following service in a Junior Leaders Regiment, he badged to the Royal Military Police in December 1975. He had a career that included postings to Northern Ireland, Germany (BAOR), the UK, Canada, the Falkland Islands and Cyprus, finishing in London where his last posting was as an Army Careers Adviser.
Awarded the MBE in 2009, Stewart is the National Secretary of a Veterans Charity work which he undertakes alongside of his roles in various other local and regional charitable and noncharitable pursuits, ranging from RMP and other Armed Forces Veterans related activities to Sea Angling and Wood Turning. Stewart is married to Pauline (also now on the SAFD Team).
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