Veteran servicemen are the inspiration for the single The Common Soldier to be launched at a charity gig at Margate Royal British Legion on Saturday.

Money raised at the concert by blues-rock band Johnny One Eye will be split between the RBL’s Poppy Appeal and Help For Heroes.

The band, who are rapidly gaining a strong international following, will play the launch event as part of a UK tour.

Stuart, bass player and backing vocals, is the son of RBL club chairman Alan Webber, who is also the bands promotions manager.

They had played a fundraiser for the legion at the Margate club this June to promote their first album Medication Blues.

Stuart said: It was after we first played there that we wrote The Common Soldier’. We had met and spoken to a lot of veterans from several wars that evening and we felt that we should be doing something to help in some way. Releasing the song for these two charities seemed to be the best way we could contribute.”

The single has been recorded and will be released by SSC Music, a small record label, jointly owned by Stuart.

His background and experience in the music industry are extensive. He had his own recording studio in New York for 10 years and has played with rock giants including Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden. Robert Plant is a close friend and he has also written and produced for some of the industry’s biggest names.

Sales of Medication Blues have rocketed around the world since its launch. A connection with War Warriors, the US equivalent of Help For Heroes, has led to a donation being made to the American charity for every download.

The Margate gig has been sponsored by Carlsberg and Tetley’s with Morrison’s backing the raffle. There will be a barbecue from 6-8pm.

Admission is free to the club in St John’s Road, Margate. The event is open to non-members. Donations are invited and there will be charity merchandise on sale.