Remembering my hero Navy daddy
Eight-year-old Isabelle Bovington was only two weeks away from her first birthday when her dad, Leading Naval Nurse Thomas Bovington, died very suddenly of a genetic heart condition. This year, Isabelle will be the youngest person taking part in the National Service of Remembrance with Scotty’s and wants to share what life is like for her and her sister, nine-year old Elizabeth, and how support from bereaved British Forces children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ support helps them keep on smiling.
Isabelle Bovington (Photo credit: Steve Reigate)
Remembering my Navy daddy
Daddy was a nurse in the Navy, where he helped lots of people. He also worked in hospitals and helped people, and after he died because of heart problems he was able to save lots of our family’s lives because we could find out if they had heart problems too. I wish we had known about his heart quicker so Daddy was still here, but because he was always running and climbing and swimming we thought he was okay. I like knowing Daddy helped people for a job because I’m also going to do that. I’m going to travel the world and help animals in need. There’s lots of animals all over the world and they all need lots of help, I think.
Baby Isabelle and her dad
My favourite stories about my daddy
Daddy died when I was a baby, so I don’t remember lots, but I really like hearing stories about him. We go on walks with Uncle Neil who Daddy went to university with and do stuff like swimming with Uncle Mark, and I like asking them questions about Daddy and so they will tell me more stories about him.
One of my favourite stories is when he put me in Elizabeth’s toy pram so she could push me around the house. I’m too big for it now, though. When I was a baby I also climbed the stairs before I knew how to walk and Daddy would stand behind me so he could catch me. Daddy was a climber so he was proud that I was a climber too. My favourite thing to climb are the monkey bars in the park. It makes me feel good that we’re the same. I like being outside and climbing trees and hills and swimming, just like he did.
One time we went out on our paddle board but the paddle went floating down the river and we had to paddle back with our hands. I wanted to just get in the water and grab the end of it and start kicking like an engine, but Mum made me stay in the boat. I like swimming in the rivers because Daddy liked that too.
Elizabeth camping with her dad
How Scotty’s helps military children smile
When I think of Scotty’s, I feel excited and happy. Especially when I think about Scotty’s Christmas parties. I was very little at my first Scotty’s Christmas party so don’t remember very much, but Mum says I made friends with a polar bear statue and kept putting snow on his head. The second Christmas party I went to was in London and the third one was last year in Shrewsbury. My favourite was last year’s party as there was lots of different rooms and I got to try lots of different things. I danced with Ariel the mermaid and met Batman then had a rest because I had been running and dancing too much and felt funny. One of my favourite Scotty memories was during Covid when we had the online Christmas party and made a big marshmallow snowman and had a baking lesson with Mrs Santa Claus.
Isabelle and Elizabeth enjoying a Scotty break
Honouring military heroes
My favourite thing to do with Scotty’s is remember things. We have a special candle holder from Scotty’s with a poppy on it and I like it when we burn a candle and think about Daddy. We also go on Scotty breaks and think about him. We’ve just been on a Scotty break and we went to the beach every single day and did swimming and paddle boarding. My daddy was a good swimmer and so am I. I like Scotty’s because we do lots of fun things and it helps me remember all the people from the military who have passed away, like daddy.
LNN Thomas Bovington
What does wearing a poppy mean to a bereaved military child?
Once a year at school, we read about Remembrance and colour in poppies. I once brought home a poppy I made in class and showed it to Mummy. We have a special assembly every year and at the end we listen to the trumpet. I also take in some money and buy a poppy for my coat. Lots of other people wear poppies too. I think it’s nice when people wear a poppy because it means they’re remembering Daddy.
At school we also do a two-minute silence where we’re really quiet and think about all the people who served in the military. The two-minute silence is really important so we can remember them all.
Baby Isabelle relaxing with her dad
About Scotty’s
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a military charity dedicated to supporting children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Scotty’s currently supports over 650 members and services offered include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
If you know a child or young person who has experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, they could be eligible for specialist bereavement support from Scotty's Little Soldiers. Hundreds of bereaved military children aren’t getting the support they need but we are here to help.
If you know a bereaved military child who could benefit from Scotty’s Little Soldiers support, visit our Get Support page for more information.
Elizabeth and Isabelle
