Copyright inverness-courier
A Nairn man who “lost special friends” during a tragic Nimrod crash in Afghanistan in 2006 will attend the Cenotaph Parade on Remembrance Sunday in London this year. Mal Scott, who was based at RAF Kinloss, will be attending the march-past with his daughter, who is also an RAF veteran. The 65-year-old and his daughter Helen Sirrell, aged 40, will be joining 10,000 others from the veteran community at the parade on Sunday, November 9. Mal said: “I’ve always watched the ceremony at the Cenotaph on TV and never thought I would get the honour of taking part myself. “To do so with my daughter is wonderful. “My great uncle George Shutt fought in the Second World War and was one of the first SAS soldiers. “He was involved in the Battle of Arnhem, and there used to be a small statue of him in the Army Museum at Aldershot. “I also lost some special friends when the Nimrod crashed in Afghanistan in 2006. “They will all be in my thoughts on the day.” Mal, who is on the committee at Forres Mechanics FC, and Helen are part of a group of around 50 veterans, carers, and staff from Help for Heroes, who will pay tribute to fallen comrades. Mal was posted to RAF Kinloss in 1978 at the age of 16, after he joined the RAF. He said: “I actually joined the RAF as a bet with my friends! I‘ve had an amazing career, which spanned 50 years in total. “One of my young Junior Officers I worked with in the early 90s is now Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, and it will be an honour to march past him at the Cenotaph.” Mal was part of Operation Granby in 199, during the first Gulf War, for which he received the British Empire Medal. He left the RAF in 1995 and became a Civilian Team Leader on the Nimrod Major Servicing Unit, before rejoining in 2018, at the age of 58, to work with II (AC) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth. His daughter Helen, who was a nurse in the RAF, is now a Veterans’ Clinical Advisor for Help for Heroes. Rob Marston, services director for Help for Heroes added: “As we join the nation to commemorate the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country, Help for Heroes also remembers those still fighting their own battles today. “We remain at the side of veterans and their families who are struggling with painful injuries, mental trauma, isolation, and more – providing life-changing support for as long as it takes. “That’s why it’s more important than ever that the public makes a promise to stand alongside our veterans to ensure they get the support they deserve.” Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. Veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – can receive support, irrespective of length or place of service. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
