Royal Navy chief hails Hartlepool's commitment to Armed Forces Covenant

Hartlepool Borough Council is a signatory to the Covenant, which is a pledge that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in the community.

Commodore Phil Waterhouse, naval regional commander for northern England and the Isle of Man, visited Hartlepool today.

He was joined by Warrant Officer 1 Terence Miller, the Navy’s regional development manager, with the pair welcomed to Hartlepool Civic Centre by the Mayor of Hartlepool, Coun Allan Barclay, and Hartlepool Borough Council chief executive Gill Alexander.

Commodore Waterhouse said: “Our old foe Napoleon used to say that he could get a soldier to do anything for him if he promised him a medal.

“Nowadays we believe we will do anything for this country if we have the support of the community we serve – that’s why the Armed Forces Covenant is so important.

“Hartlepool has really thrown itself into supporting the Covenant, which is marvellous, and I hope people of all ages will act as ambassadors for the Covenant and help spread the word about it far and wide.”

Hartlepool Borough Council holds the silver award in the Covenant's employer recognition scheme.

The town is flying the flag for Reserves Day tomorrow and will mark Hartlepool Armed Forces Day on Saturday, July 7.

Coun Allan Barclay, who is also the council’s Armed Forces champion, added: “Generations of Hartlepool people have served with distinction in our Armed Forces, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“That’s why it’s so important that, not just on Reserves Day and Armed Forces Day but right throughout the year, we remember the bravery and devotion of our servicemen and women and do everything we can to treat them and their families with the respect which they so richly deserve.”