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Memorial rugby match honours city veterans

BBC A table full of maroon rugby shirts bearing the names of armed forces veterans above large numbers.BBC
The shirts bear the names of veterans who fought in conflicts as far back as World War One

A memorial rugby match is taking place in Hull to honour local people who served in the armed forces.

Players will take to the field later wearing shirts showing the names of veterans who fought in conflicts as far back as World War One.

The annual game has been organised by armed forces charity Hull4Heroes.

Its chairman and founder of the forces rugby team Jim Fishburn said: “Young heroes are not forgotten."

Jim Fishburn is sitting in front of the maroon rugby shirts which are laid out on a table behind him. The names and numbers on the shirts are in yellow. The shirt immediately behind Mr Fishburn is that of PTE Gregg Stone, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012.
Jim Fishburn said it was important for the families to see the names

The East Yorkshire Forces Rugby League team started in 2013 and was created for serving members and ex-service personnel.

Mr Fisburn said that the annual remembrance event, taking place at the Myton Warriors ground on Cranbrook Avenue, was important for the veterans' families.

He said: “It's really all about remembering them and remembering the name, really, so it doesn't fall by the wayside.”

Veteran Jordan Kerman, who is playing in the game, said it was important to think of the more recent campaigns such as Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as World War One and World War Two.

Mr Kerman said: “It's obviously close to home, because many of the players who are playing on Saturday have served in these conflicts as well.”

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