David Kamsler MBE – is a D-Day War Veteran as well as a Korean and Malayan Veteran. Anna Kennedy OBE got in touch with us as she wanted to share David’s story. She told us that this inspirational gentleman was a United Nations Peace keeper in Trieste.
Anna first met David back in 1999 when she co founded her school Hillingdon Manor which is now the largest school in Europe for children on the autism spectrum. The school educates 150 children across 17 different Local Authorities.
In 1998 David contacted Anna through The Times Newspaper after reading an article about her 2 boys, both of whom are on the autistic spectrum, and the struggle to set up a school while having to remortgaging her home.
Anna told:
“He was a lifeline and helped me obtain furniture through companies like British Airways etc, brand new carpet tiles from an IT company and stationary for the school when we were struggling and looking for help.”
More about this particular period in Anna’s life can be read here
Anna is also Patron of the Everest Autism and ADHD Group in Basingstoke where David lives and visits the group 3 to 4 times a year.
“David and I have remained friends ever since and I visit every couple of months where we have fish and chips from the local chip shop where he shares his wonderful stories with me.”
In celebration of D Day, Anna wants to pay tribute to this kind, generous and wonderful man who has done so much to help others.
David was interviewed by the BBC back in 1994. ‘The Horrors Of D-Day’ can be read on the BBC archives website here