Longest-Serving Poppy Appeal Collector Dies

LONDON, September 14, 2010 - The Royal British Legion's longest-serving Poppy collector, who raised
funds for the Poppy Appeal since it began in 1921, has died in Devon at the
age of 105.

Noelle Benda Whitehead, Lady Milverton, was born 18th Dec 1904 and first
volunteered for the Poppy Appeal at the age of 16.

She continued faithfully to distribute Poppies and to collect for the
Appeal, often while living in British colonial territories, each November for
the next 89 years.

"She collected for the Poppy Appeal last year and as usual, her effort
yielded the biggest 'tin' returned," said Peter Hearn, a Queen's Messenger
and Poppy Appeal organiser in Devon. "I spoke to the manager of her residence
at Fleete House today, and he told me that the place seems empty without
her."

Travelling to Penang to join her father in 1921, she met a colonial
administrator, Arthur Richards. They were married at St Mary's Church in
Kuala Lumpur in 1927.

She raised their three children and supported his career as he rose
through the Colonial Office, becoming Governor of North Borneo (1930-1933),
Governor of Gambia (1933-1936), Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner of the
British Western Pacific Territories from (1937-1938), Governor of Jamaica
(1938-1943) and Governor of Nigeria (1943-1947).

Richards was made a CMG in 1933, a KCMG in 1935 and a GCMG in 1942. In
1947 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Milverton, of Lagos and of Clifton
in the City of Bristol.

He died in October 1978, aged 93, and was succeeded in the Barony by his
eldest son Fraser Arthur Richard Richards.

Lady Milverton's singular contribution to the Poppy Appeal was recognised
in her 100th year, when she was the guest of honour at the Festival of
Remembrance in Devon and received 80 years' worth of Poppy Appeal collector
awards from the Lord Lieutenant of Devon.

Lady Milverton was described by family and friends as energetic and full
of enthusiasm for life to the end. One family friend recalls that, at the age
of 94, she was still driving her own car and doing the rounds between three
boyfriends, the youngest of them being 65 years old, or 29 years her junior.

"She had a remarkable life and made a tremendous contribution to the
Poppy Appeal," said John Pentreath, the Legion's County Manager for Devon.
"We will ensure that The Royal British Legion pays its full respects at her
service."

Notes to Editors:

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity
providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past
and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of
Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its
Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem,
the red poppy. www.britishlegion.org.uk

For further information please contact John Pentreath, County Manager
Devon, The Royal British Legion. Tel: +44(0)1392-273111 Email:
jpentreath@britishlegion.org.uk

For further information please contact John Pentreath, County Manager Devon, The Royal British Legion. Tel: +44(0)1392-273111 Email: jpentreath at britishlegion.org.uk