Piers Storie-Pugh
Piers Storie-Pugh
In 1985 Piers Storie-Pugh set up The Government's War Widows Grant In Aid Scheme (Remembrance Travel) and in 2004 wrote the blueprint for the 'Heroes Return' Scheme for veterans. With groups of war widows, other relatives and veterans he visited the war cemeteries, memorials and battlefields in Europe, the Far East, North Africa and Mediterranean; from Belgium to Burma, The Somme to Singapore, Italy to India, and Holland to Hong Kong.
Piers continued to run Remembrance Travel for twenty five years before taking over as Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association - a tri-service Royal charity for wounded servicemen and women. He handed over as Chief Executive in 2016; and started his programme of military talks especially assisting charities in their fundraising efforts.
In 2021, Piers was appointed an official speaker for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation (the charitable arm of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission), and in 2022 was appointed Gentleman Usher to the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor (see photograph above).
Piers is an Accredited Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, Badge No.12
Piers is a well-known public speaker and battlefield guide. He has a deep expertise on war cemeteries worldwide, the Great War, the Cenotaph & The Unknown Warrior, the POWs of Colditz Castle, the Siege of Malta (1940-42), the Chindit Operations in Burma, the Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem. From 2011 to 2016 he was Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association, a tri-service charity for the wounded, founded in 1920. Piers has assembled a treasure trove of rare images to support his unique and highly informative talks.
Piers has made a number of documentary films: "When You Go Home" launched at the National Army Museum; "Chindit Commander" featuring Brigadier Michael Calvert; and "Escaping from Colditz" about his father's war exploits. He assisted in the making of the Channel 4 documentary about The Great War, "A Time for Remembrance", contributed to the Yesterday Television documentary '“Colditz The Legend.” As well as advising on and participating in the Songs of Praise programme marking the 70th Anniversary of the Armistice.
The Princess Royal accompanied by Piers Storie-Pugh at The Cavalry and Guards Club in the Autumn of 2014 when HRH spoke as Patron of the War Horse Ride Event: an event which commemorated the centenary of the last great British cavalry charge.
“Your fascinating talk produced the largest attendance at any of our events.”
"Piers Storie-Pugh, a tireless Ambassador of Happiness", Daily Telegraph, 2014
Piers Storie-Pugh: Military Biography
Piers Storie-Pugh enlisted into the 10th Parachute Battalion and qualified at RAF Abingdon; he was commissioned into The Royal Yeomanry. Following his two year short service volunteer commission with the 1st Battalion The Queen's Regiment he returned to The Territorial Army. He went on to command his battalions (6/7 QUEENS and 6/7 PWRR) before appointment to be Deputy Commander 2nd Infantry Brigade in the rank of Full Colonel. Other appointments included ADC to HM The Queen (Territorial Army), Reserve Forces Representative on the Control Board of the ABF, Chairman Surrey Reserve Forces, TA Colonel 4th Division and HQ Land and Deputy President Territorial Commissioning Board. Piers was awarded the MBE (Mil) in 1988 and the OBE (Civ) in 2009.
Piers with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, April 1990, Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
“Hello Piers,
We’ve now had the Despatches Magazine and read your article on Mike Calvert. It is absolutely fascinating Piers and the illustrations are so special and so clear. We feel very proud that we had a bit to do with setting you off on what has become a brilliant career.”