Posts by Emelia Clark
From the Skies of 1940 to the Battle of Britain Masterpiece Coin
When we picture the Battle of Britain, Spitfires often take centre stage, but it was the Hawker Hurricane that carried much of the burden in the summer of 1940. More numerous and relentlessly deployed, Hurricanes played a decisive role, and none more so than Hawker Hurricane P2725 TM-B.
On 15th September 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day, Sergeant Ray Holms was flying Hurricane P2725 as part of the RAF’s defence of London. A Dornier bomber of the German Luftwaffe broke through the defences; its sights set directly on Buckingham Palace.
With his ammunition exhausted and just seconds to spare, Holmes made an extraordinary decision: he rammed the bomber head-on. He destroyed the enemy aircraft along with his own, bailing out as his Hurricane crashed into Buckingham Palace Road, narrowly sparing the Palace itself.
The action became one of the most iconic moments of the Battle of Britain – a lasting symbol of the courage of “The Few”.
Unearthing a Forgotten Legend
For more than sixty years, the remains of Hurricane P2725 lay buried beneath London’s streets. In 2004, following extensive research, aviation excavation specialist Christopher Bennett led a successful recovery of the wreckage. The excavation was televised live, and parts of the aircraft, including sections of its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, were unearthed.
From Wreckage to Coin
Some recovered pieces were preserved in museums, while others found new purpose through TMB Art Metal, a London-based company owned by Bennett and named after the aircraft’s squadron code, TM-B.
Using fragments of the original Hurricane aluminium, the company creates carefully curated commemorative objects. One of the very first ever Hurricane sculptures crafted from the recovered metal was gifted to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh.
And, it’s one of these pieces created by TM-B Art Metal that now takes centre stage in the Battle of Britain Silver Masterpiece Coin.
Rather than simply depicting the Battle of Britain, the coin incorporates an authentic piece of metal from Hurricane P2725, embedded into the design as a propeller.
This propeller is a direct physical link to the events of 1940 – metal that once flew above London in defence of a nation, now preserved as a lasting tribute.
Because the supply of original Hurricane metal is so limited, only 495 Battle of Britain Silver Masterpiece Coins were created, and now fewer than 10% now remain.
If you would like to own a genuine fragment of this extraordinary story, a piece of an aircraft that helped defend Britain at its darkest hour, you can discover more or secure your coin here, while availability remains.
Meet Ellen – After serving in the Armed Forces, Ellen now gives back through her role as a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal volunteer.
Earlier this year, we decided we wanted to honour some of the extraordinary Poppy Appeal volunteers who help raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion. The people who give their hours, their energy, and their hearts to support the Armed Forces community.
As a small token of recognition, we gifted ten of the first ever commemorative Poppy Pounds to ten committed RBL volunteers.
Today, we are able to share the words of volunteer Ellen Anderson, and to let her tell everyone how having served in the Armed Forces herself, she is happy to now be able to help give back through the RBL.
Can you tell me your name, where you’re from, and a little bit about your affiliation with the Royal British Legion?
My name’s Ellen Anderson. I live in Cardiff, and have been volunteering with the RBL since 2019.
How did you first get involved with the RBL?
I always knew I wanted to volunteer for a service charity when I retired, and I first started coming in to the RBL pop-in centre in Cardiff one day a week, but then Covid hit and volunteering became a bit difficult. The Poppy Appeal Manager came in one day and said they were looking for help to cover different areas of Cardiff and I volunteered to become a Poppy Appeal Organiser for the city centre, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
How long have you been fundraising for the RBL?
I’ve been fundraising for the RBL for 6 years now. I love what I’ve been doing and over the years have taken on more responsibility. The people in Cardiff are so generous. In the current year [2024/2025] my area of Cardiff City centre has raised over £60,000 for the Poppy Appeal, and I’m really proud of my team of volunteers who helped us achieve that.
What does it mean to you to support the RBL?
My husband and I both served, and I know people who’ve been helped by the RBL, so I’m very pleased to be able to give something back. Being involved in the charity helps keep that military connection in your life too, which is really nice. Remembrance and the Poppy is very important to me and I think of the brave service of people who help keep us safe on a daily basis. A lot of people think the Poppy means the First and Second World Wars, but for me it’s remembering people today too. During the Remembrance period, when I’m standing there for those two minutes silence, it’s people like that I remember, and that’s why I want to give back.
Have you seen the impact of the RBL’s work first-hand? Could you share an example?
Since I started volunteering for the Royal British Legion, I’ve met a number of people who tell me about the help they’ve received from the charity, including someone who was able to buy some furniture for her new home and someone who has been supported by the Admiral Nurses when she was caring for her husband who suffers from dementia. I also know someone who had an injury but was helped a great deal in coping with it following a trip to the RBL Recover Centre. It’s extremely encouraging to receive personal testimony from people who have sought help from the charity. It makes all our hard work workwhile.
What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the charity?
DO IT! When you retire it’s a critical time in your life, and finding volunteer opportunities with the RBL gave me a purpose for getting up in the morning. It was a real lifeline! It keeps your brain active, you make friends, and you’re doing something that’s helping somebody else. It’s a win, win situation!
What do you think about this new coin issued in support of the RBL?
All too often, in the busyness of work, service can be forgotten and it’s good to see support for charities like the RBL. The coin itself is well-designed and I think this will bring it to the attention of collectors and the public. I’m delighted that the Westminster Collection is supporting the charity in this way.
Ellen is very passionate about the benefits of becoming an RBL volunteer, if her words have inspired you, you can click here to find out more about how you could volunteer with the Royal British Legion.
Or you can purchase your own Poppy Pound, with a percentage of each one sold going directly to the RBL. This coin marks a landmark moment in coin collecting: the first-ever British Isles commemorative 12-sided £1 coin. Click here to see the full range >>
Meet Bill – Former RAF aircrew and Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal volunteer of 25 years
Earlier this year, we decided we wanted to honour some of the extraordinary Poppy Appeal volunteers who help raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion. The people who give their hours, their energy, and their hearts to support the Armed Forces community.
As a small token of recognition, we gifted ten of the first ever commemorative Poppy Pounds to ten committed RBL volunteers.
First up, we’re honoured to introduce you to one of those volunteers, former RAF aircrew Bill Tyack, and to share his story in his own words.
Can you tell me your name, where you’re from, and a little bit about your affiliation with the Royal British Legion?
My name is Bill Tyack. I live in Fleet, Hampshire. I served in the RAF as aircrew for 37 years. When I retired in 2006, I joined the Branch Committee of the Fleet & Crookham Branch, becoming Branch Chairman from 2008 until 2021. I am currently Poppy Appeal Organiser for Fleet, Crookham, Crondall and Dogmersfield (SBF 03), having taken over the role in 2012.
How did you first get involved with the RBL?
I offered my services as a Poppy Appeal collector in the late 1990s.
How long have you been fundraising for the RBL?
This will be my 25th year collecting.
What does it mean to you to support the RBL?
I had an interesting and rewarding career in the RAF and I am supporting the RBL to give back to those current and former members of the Armed Services who were less fortunate than me.
What has been the most memorable moment for you during your time with the RBL?
I would not single out any particular moment: there have been so many acts of real generosity by our donors and of selfless dedication and brilliant enterprise by our collectors. Also, I have heard some fascinating and often moving “war stories” from donors.
Have you seen the impact of RBL’s work first-hand? Could you share an example?
I am aware of several cases ranging from: financial advice; through help with independent living; to a major intervention for a veteran suffering from PTSD.
What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the charity?
Give it a go. You will be helping a vital charity. You will meet some brilliant people, both fellow collectors and generous donors. You might even have some fun!
What do you think about this new coin issued in support of the RBL?
I think that it is a brilliant way of remembering those who suffered and died for our freedom, and those still suffering. It also should prompt people to be generous in their donations to the Poppy Appeal
If Bill’s words have inspired you, you can click here to find out more about how you could volunteer with the Royal British Legion.
Or you can purchase your own Poppy Pound, with a percentage of each one sold going directly to the RBL. This coin marks a landmark moment in coin collecting: the first-ever British Isles commemorative 12-sided £1 coin. Click here to see the full range >>
