Veteran to join Invictus Games tall ship journey

A Royal Navy veteran chosen to join an Invictus Games sailing expedition has welcomed the "opportunity to get back to sea".

Steve Chalk from Hereford served in both the Royal Navy and the Territorial Army and said being on a ship was something "I miss terribly".

He will be on the Full Circle expedition which is due to leave Falmouth on Wednesday, taking the Invictus Games Flag on a 2,000-nautical-mile voyage around the UK, ahead of the games in Birmingham next year.

Chalk, 74, was chosen to represent the games because of his military service and his voluntary work to help other veterans.

The flag will be carried on a tall ship and raised at 22 ports along the 12-week journey, while attempting to raise £300,000 to enable the charity Turn to Starboard to purchase a second tall ship.

The second ship will be used to support more veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, physical injury, isolation and loss of confidence.

Chalk will join the first leg of the expedition, from Falmouth to Chatham.

He had a 28-year career in the military and said: "Since retiring I miss the camaraderie and banter of the military."

He joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15 when he and two friends decided to "run away to sea together".

Chalk said his grandfather had been in the Navy, but he did not tell his parents.

"Our secret was quickly exposed when the parental-consent paperwork arrived at our homes," he said.

After leaving the Navy, he joined the Territorial Army and remained for another 20 years before finally retiring.

Despite his own challenges with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he now volunteers his time to support other veterans who are suffering from mental or physical health complications.

He said there was a great network for veterans in Hereford and described the volunteering as "really rewarding work".

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