Veteran's Badges for Ayr couple

Jul 17 2009 by Stuart Wilson

LIKE most couples of their time, Brian and Margaret Holmes were separated by military service.

But they both did their bit for their country with pride.

Now the Ayr pair have become one of the few married couples to receive prestigious Veterans’ Badges.

Brian served for five years with the 1st Battallion Welsh Guards.

His wife Margaret, who he met at a New Year’s party, also made great strides with the military police.

And now the couple have been honoured for their sterling service to Britain.

Brian, 71, confessed: “It’s very nice to receive such an honour – and makes a change to hear people saying nice things about you!

“I believe it’s quite rare for couples to get the Veterans’ Badge, so we’re delighted.

“We saw that we could apply for it and decided to go for it. It was less than a week later when we got the call to say we’d been successful.”

Margaret, who was one of the first women to take part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, recalls her time fondly.

She said: “I was one of eight women marching that night and we knew all the girls were watching us on the TV.

“We guessed that if we made a good job of it then they’d allow women to keep marching at the ceremony in future, and sure enough they did.”

The couple were presented with their badges by Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Sandra Osborne.

She said: “It was an honour to present Mr and Mrs Holmes with their well deserved HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Badge.

“It is important that we all take time to reflect on the service given by those who have and those who currently serve with our armed forces, they risk all to protect others.

“I feel very proud to have met this wonderful couple and would like to wish them both all the very best.

“I’m sure I can speak for many across Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock when I say to Margaret and Brian, thank you.”

The couple will celebrate a double whammy when they mark their golden wedding this Saturday.

Margaret, originally of Kirkmichael, married Brian in Stockport in 1959.