Dennis Woollons: Tributes as Army veteran and Royal British Legion fundraiser dies aged 95

PROUD: Dennis Woollons at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance

Tributes have been paid to former Army Staff Sergeant and Royal British Legion fundraiser Dennis Woollons, who has died aged 95 after a short illness.

Dennis, who just weeks ago appeared on stage at the Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, was President of the Willerby, Kirk Ella & Anlaby Branch of the RBL.

In his 25 years with the Legion, he raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Poppy Appeal in East Yorkshire.

During the Covid pandemic, he became involved with the RBL’s telephone buddy scheme, and said: “I realised that I was perhaps one of the lucky ones able to cope with the situation, but there might be other people who would benefit from contact with someone with possibly similar lifetime experiences, so I decided to give it a go.”

SERVICE: Dennis Woollons in his Army days

Dennis, from Willerby, was in regular contact with two D-Day veterans in Yorkshire. He said of their conversations: “We talk about our service, of course, but also football, rugby league, the weather and we put the world to rights - we all get something out of it.

“They enjoy talking to somebody from their own era with similar experiences to them.”

Dennis, who lost his beloved wife Audrey two years ago, said his voluntary work with the RBL kept him occupied during the pandemic.

He had an exemplary military career, having been seconded to the Indian Army in 1945 based at Burma Command HQ, where he was heavily involved in Operation Nip-Off, the repatriation of Japanese surrendered personnel from Rangoon.

RESPECT: Dennis Woollons with Lieutenant General James Bashall, president of the Royal British Legion

Dennis also signed the Official Secrets Act, making him probably the only NCO [Non-Commissioned Officer] in the Far East allowed to handle a top-secret guard file.

After two years he contracted hepatitis and was sent home on a hospital ship in November 1947, before returning to his career in accountancy.

Nicola Cook, the RBL’s assistant director of operations, said: “Dennis led an extraordinary life and was a wonderful ambassador for the Royal British Legion.

“He kept in touch with his branch by learning how to do Zoom calls during the pandemic, and we know he was delighted to be back out collecting for the Poppy Appeal this year. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and all our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”