Remembrance: James' story

Former Royal Marine, James Cobby will march alongside 10,000 others during the Cenotaph Service on Remembrance Sunday as part of the largest ever group of veterans supported by Help for Heroes to attend. 

30-year-old James suffered a traumatic brain injury during a training exercise in 2011 at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon.

He was awarded an Honorary Green Beret in recognition of his outstanding and enduring support to the Corps and is now supported by Help for Heroes.

James said: “I am proud to have been invited to take part in the parade on Remembrance Sunday.

“Remembrance is an opportunity to appreciate and recognise all those that have given their lives whilst serving their country. We must never forget the sacrifice of those who do not get to come home.”

The Charity has been supporting members of the Armed Forces community to live well after service for 15 years. In that time, we have helped over 27,000 veterans and their families.

In June, James completed the Op Ysbrydoli challenge by climbing the highest peak in the Breacon Beacons, Pen-Y-Fan in a specially adapted wheelchair alongside Help for Heroes staff, supporters and other veterans.

“Help for Heroes has enabled me to have more independence and take part in the extreme sports that I enjoy,” James added.

“They also provide social opportunities and I have made many friends through the charity.”

James will be amongst more than 20 veterans from the Charity wearing distinctive tri-service colours when they march in the national Remembrance Sunday ceremony, held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London.

David Hornsby, a Veterans’ Clinical Advisor at Help for Heroes, and has organised the Charity’s largest ever group of veterans in attendance, added: “Remembrance is not just about one day - I think it’s all year round for veterans, but the ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday are an incredibly poignant focus for me.

“I was an Emergency Department nurse and was privileged to care for our wounded on operations, many of them experienced traumatic injuries that had previously been regarded as unsurvivable. Many more bear the scars of the events they witnessed, I’m now in the privileged position of being able to continue to support our wounded veterans. Remembrance Day reminds me of the operational tours I deployed on and those fellow veterans of all operations I can help now.”