A SECOND World War veteran who raised almost £2,000 for the Poppy Appeal with a CD of poetry says he is amazed at the achievement.

Tom Hedges, 93, was encouraged to record the Lest We Forget album after his neighbours in Ramsden, near Witney, heard him read at church.

The CD has sold almost 200 copies since its release on Remembrance Day with requests pouring in from all over the world. Orders have come from as far afield as Texas and Australia, and Mr Hedges has received 20 letters of praise.

The former soldier, described as “the man with the golden voice”, said: “I am quite delighted that everybody is so kind about it, but having all these enquiries from around the world rather shocked me.”

The CD has even been used by one teacher to help Polish students learn English pronunciation.

Mr Hedges described it as “quite amazing”.

He put the interest down to “modern technology”, adding: “All this internet; it is everywhere.”

Richard Lord, project co-ordinator, said: “The diversity of the response, how people seem to have heard of it from such a long way, and the warmth of the response has been really nice to see.”

The CD, which contains passages from the Bible as well as poems by William Wordsworth, raised money for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and St James Church, Ramsden.

Mr Hedges said: “I thought the CD was a good idea because it was for charity.”

He said he also hoped it would help children to understand the sacrifices made during the Second World War.

He added: “This will raise awareness, and it is good for kids to read or listen to poetry as well.”

Mr Hedges was in a tank regiment during the war and travelled through France, Belgium and Holland, before arriving in Germany.

  • The CD costs £10 and can be bought from ramsdenvillage.co.uk/ php/tom_ hedges_cd.php or by calling 01993 868210.