Veterans' factory is a hive of activity - manager

A factory that provides employment and support to Army veterans is a “hive of activity” as the 80th anniversary of D-Day nears, Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) says.

The site is part of the RBLI village in Aylesford and runs as a social enterprise, with profit fed back into the charity.

Many of the workers “have been wounded or are sick”, Geoff Streetley, RBLI chief commercial officer said.

RBLI administrator Anil Gurung described his work there as “vital”, protecting him from “mental issues and overthinking”.

The factory spends much of the year making signs for road and rail.

Its operations manager, David Church, said it was Network Rail’s number one provider of trackside signage.

"We’ve got three divisions," he explained, "the signage... a timber area where we manufacture pallets and fruit bins for farmers and... military-related memorabilia”.

The historic D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 saw 156,000 Allied troops arrive in Normandy for a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France.

It was one of the most decisive military campaigns of World War Two.

To "remember the fallen", the factory has produced a collection of items including “Tommy” military figures.

Mr Streetley described a "hive of activity" on the factory floor.

He said of about 80 workers, 70% were veterans, many of whom were Gurkhas who had been injured fighting in Afghanistan.

“They needed a second career," he said.

One of those, Mr Gurung, said: “Working here has been vital for me.

"I could’ve gone through mental issues that involve overthinking, whereas when you work, you get engaged and the day goes along.”

Sue Mylnick, a veteran who lives and works at the village, said it had been a "big help" since her husband, who also served, had a stroke.

"It’s so important to be able to mix with other veterans. We have a lot of shared experiences,” she said.

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