Lester Francois, a retired warrant officer class one in the British Army, received the Veteran of the Year award last week at the Leavers to Leaders (LTL) Awards. This follows a 24-year career in the British Army, during which he received 10 medals and several commendations.
The LTL awards recognise outstanding service leavers, veterans, and military community members from the UK and wider Commonwealth.
“I was quite surprised when I heard that I was nominated for the award of veteran of the year and even more surprised to have actually won the award,” Francois told St. Lucia Times.
“As a Saint Lucian, it was quite an honour, knowing that I came from a small island, started at the bottom and moved to the top, where I was told that only about 25 per cent of those in my era make it to the top,” he said.
The award ceremony was held during the LTL Summit in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, and celebrated nominees from nine Commonwealth nations, including Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, and Mauritius.
Francois, who was born in La Fargue Choiseul, grew up in La Ressource, Vieux Fort, before migrating to the UK after being recruited to join the British Army in 2002.
His distinguished military career started within the Royal Logistic Corps, specialising as a supplier. Through determination, professionalism, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service, he progressed through the ranks to achieve the rank of warrant officer class one.
During his twenty-four years of military service, he served across the UK and elsewhere, including Germany, Cyprus, Nigeria, Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Gambia, and Belgium. He also served as a UN peacekeeper in Cyprus.
Reflecting on his military career, he said it had served him well, motivating him, building his character, and shaping his discipline while broadening his worldview.
During his career and even now that he is retired, Francois has consistently lent support to British soldiers, offering guidance, mentorship, and encouragement. “Encouraging younger officers and helping them build their self-confidence is something I love to do,” he said.
But his encouragement and support do not stop with the youth.
Known affectionately as “Various Boss,” he formed Various Boss Entertainment, undertaking activities and events geared towards other veterans with a focus on a strong commitment to community engagement. These events started small—dominoes and barbecues—and soon expanded into brunches and family fun days. “My wife used to say to me, ‘Some of what you are doing attracts the grown-ups; why not do something to bring families together?’ That’s where the family events started,” the father of three told us.
“Now we have the veterans along with their families and younger personnel at these events, interacting and learning from each other while having a good time,” he explained.
Francois’ humility and measured wisdom have made him a quiet force in his community, extending far beyond his military career. Friends have said he is a respected role model and source of inspiration to younger generations, demonstrating the importance of discipline, resilience, service, inclusivity, and giving back to others. His willingness to share his experience and provide advice has had a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to have worked alongside him.
It is for those reasons and more that Lester Francois was a favoured choice for the LTL Awards 2026 – Veteran of the Year.
Francois told St. Lucia Times, that although he is retired he keeps himself busy and now finds to travel without thinking of being deployed. He says he enjoyed St. Vincent and Lucian Carnival this year, as well as Mexico. He plans to return to Saint Lucia soon, which he says will always be home.
