A retired British Army major who was the manager of the historic Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Major Charles Pelling (Retd) receives an OBE for Services to Veterans.
The 65-year-old served in the Royal Tank Regiment, the oldest tank unit in the world, over a 24-year period from 1978 to 2002. He then completed a Master of Business Administration and enjoyed life in France for a while before returning to Scotland where he accepted the post of manager at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in 2007.
He has spent the last 18 years dedicating his time to helping disabled ex-servicemen and women secure employment within the busy Factory.
The close-knit team of veteran’s handmake thousands of poppy wreaths and produce millions of sustainable paper poppies as a symbol of remembrance each year.
Major Pelling said: “I am delighted to receive this honour. I hope it will highlight the ongoing and critical work that Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and Poppyscotland undertake every day with the veteran’s community in Scotland.”
Michael Fahy, Head of Marketing and PR at Poppyscotland, said: “On behalf of everyone at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and Poppyscotland, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Charlie on this wonderful honour of an OBE for Services to Veterans.
“It is thoroughly deserved for a man who has dedicated his life to the British Army and also to supporting both serving and former members of the Armed Forces. Congratulations Charlie!”
