Welcoming dad home and meeting the Queen: Young people’s memories (Part 1)

Month of the Military Child is recognised amongst Armed Forces communities, schools and others throughout the world. It reminds us how important it is to highlight the experiences that impact children from Forces families.

With Forces Children Scotland, we often discuss important issues and raise awareness about the struggles that affect children and young people. However, the shared experiences of our loved one’s service create positive memories too.  

In this blog, we will look back at a few memories which have stuck with Forces children to celebrate the experiences growing up in a Forces lifestyle. 

‘Welcome Home Daddy’: Erin’s core memory 

“In May 2013, my dad came home from a six-month long tour in Afghanistan. This was his third time out there. I was five and my little brother Aiden was three at the time. I can’t remember much due to being very young. However, I can recall the family trips and activities set up by the welfare team at Catterick Garrison, including trips to theme parks, family support sessions and Christmas celebrations at the mess, where we each got a present from Santa. 

One moment in particular stands out to me, which my family and other families got to share: creating ‘welcome home’ banners. I can remember walking into an old house, renovated into a welfare office, where a kind lady took us to a room. There were tables and chairs stacked at the side, and the floors were covered in white banners – some already partly decorated, and others finished and waiting to dry. 

Mum sat on the floor and sketched a design that said: ’welcome home daddy’.  She used red, yellow and blue, the colours of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). In between the words, she painted our feet and names to represent our family (and so we’d be able to look back and see how small we once were). 

Meanwhile, my brother and I were given a blank banner to do whatever our hearts desired. For Aiden, that was ducking his whole head if hair into a pallet of blue paint. It took a long time for mum to get it out! 

On the day dad came home, we pinned the banner to our fence at home as a surprise celebration. Not only was it to welcome my dad back, but it was to thank him for serving. 

Dad was utterly happy with the surprise and craftmanship put into his meaningful welcome home. It was an important way to say: ‘Your work has never gone un-noticed, dad, we missed you.”  

This was such an important memory in my early childhood as it showed me what types of ideas and gestures a community can organise, making a celebration inclusive for everyone, no matter their ages and experiences.” 

Cadence’s experiences (and surprises) 

Cadence, another young person we know from an Army family, shares some of the positive experiences she had growing up:  

“When my dad surprised us by coming home from deployment. It was rare for him to be home at Christmas, so we had no idea he was coming which made it such a surreal moment. It’s one of those memories that just sticks.”  

“When we met the Queen on camp. At the time it felt completely normal, but looking back now it’s actually crazy to think about, and shows how different Forces life can be. It was so nice to get together as a family for this day.”  

“When we moved home to Scotland after ten years abroad, exploring the Pentlands together. Moving wasn’t always the easiest, but it meant we got to see a lot and experience things we probably wouldn’t have otherwise. Plus, we were home and with all our family by the end of it!”  

We’ll be sharing more stories from young people next week!