Guest blog: "Why Remembrance will always matter to me"

I come from a military family, so remembrance has always been deeply important to me. Some of my earliest memories include Saturday mornings in Falmouth with my Grampy – an RAF veteran himself – who would take me into town to buy sweets. Every November, those trips took on a special meaning. Grampy would stop to buy us both bright red poppies, carefully helping me pin mine to my jumper or jacket before smiling proudly. I can still remember walking into school the following Monday, eager to tell everyone: "My Grampy had bought me my poppy – and that he used to fix Spitfires and served in the war."

Those moments shaped my understanding of remembrance long before I ever put on a uniform myself. They taught me that those little red poppies are more than just paper and pins – they represent courage, sacrifice, and the stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things.

Since leaving the RAF, I’ve made it a point to honour that legacy every year. Each Remembrance Sunday, I take part in the parade through Llantwit Major before laying a wreath at the memorial. It fills me with an incredible sense of sombre pride.  

This year will be a little different – and, for me, truly special. My brother and I will be part of the parade of veterans in London marching down the cenotaph to honour the fallen. It will be an experience that’s been on our bucket list for years. I know that if Grampy were still here, he’d be telling anyone who’d listen what his grandsons were up to!

While the day will be filled with pride, I’ll be thinking of my friend and fellow Parachute Jumping Instructor, Rachel, who we lost in an accident a few years ago, as well as all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

Remembrance is about honouring the past, but it’s also about supporting those who continue to live with the legacy of service today. That’s why I’m proud to be an Ambassador for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

When I was injured in a parachuting accident, life changed overnight. I went from being an active Parachute Jumping Instructor to facing a long and challenging recovery. The Fund stepped in when I needed it most – I became a Housing Trust tenant and they provided specialist equipment for my home, giving me my independence back. The Fund’s support allowed me to focus on rebuilding my life and, ultimately, to give back by supporting others through my role as an Ambassador.

As I march this Remembrance Sunday, I’ll be thinking of Grampy, of Rachel, and of everyone who has worn the uniform with pride. But I’ll also be thinking of the Fund – and how it continues to be there for people like me, ensuring that no member of the RAF Family is ever left to face life’s challenges alone.