Welcome to The Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee
The true origin of the association is quite unclear, although a similar named organisation was formed and operating in Blackpool during the Second World War in 1943. Unfortunately it seems to have faded away following the conclusion of hostilities. It was later re-established under its present title and has grown from strength to strength.
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Sadly, we have to report the untimely passing of our Vice Chairman, Cllr Jim Houldsworth.
Jim slipped quietly and painlessly away at 09.30hrs on the 3rd March 2012 at the Hospice, with his family around him.
As a Ward Councillor, his achievements were legion; but not least was his dedicated work, right to the end, for the ex-service community.After serving as a Major in the Royal Artillery and acting as their representative for the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee, he became our highly respected Vice Chairman. He was a Trustee at B.L.E.S.M.A. and was a driving force in the 'Armed Forces Week' Steering Group. He also helped to establish the 'Fylde Memorial Arboretum' as well as 'Supporting our Brave', the community interest company in Bank Hey Street.
In recognition of his service to Blackpool he had been presented with the Blackpool Medal and had received a personal letter from the Prime Minister, David Cameron.
These, along with countless others of his wonderful achievements, mean that he will be sorely missed by all the people of Blackpool and the ex-service community in particular.
 
Sergeant Nigel Coupe
Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, from 1st Btn. The Duke of Lancaster's Regt, and of Lytham St Annes, died on Tuesday 6th
March 2012
alongside five
colleagues (from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment) in a Taliban attack on their vehicle.
They were on a patrol to dominate the Lashkar Gah Durai region of an operational area on the border of Helmand and Kandahar provinces when their Warrior armoured fighting vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device resulting in the deaths of all six personnel.
Sergeant Coupe, of Lytham St Annes in Lancashire, was the most senior soldier on the doomed
Warrior vehicle.
He joined the Army in January 1996 and was enlisted into The Queen's Lancashire Regiment which
subsequently became the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.He was later attached to
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which became the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regt., as a Warrior
Sergeant in 7 Platoon, Corunna Company. He also completed a tour as an instructor at the Driving &
Maintenance School in Bovington before deploying to Afghanistan.
He was an integral part of both 7 Platoon and Corunna Company. His expertise was vital to ensuring the Company was fully prepared to deploy on operations. His kindness and devotion to the soldiers he led will leave an indelible mark on everyone who served with him.
He will be sorely missed.
His widow Natalie, 28, from Lytham St Annes, said the father-of-two was "My husband, best friend and soulmate.
He dedicated almost 17 years of his life to the Army and we are immensely proud of all that he
achieved in his short life.”
She revealed the heartbreaking words of his five year old daughter Ella, who said, “ Daddy is a star
now ”.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
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