Hero of the month… Signalman David Grout 1987 to 2010
Once a year in November the whole world comes together to remember our fallen heroes, however at Scotty’s Little Soldiers we know that for families who have lost someone who served in the Armed Forces, Remembrance Day is every day.
Every one of our members has lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, and we believe their lives and sacrifice should always be remembered. In our hero of the month posts we celebrate the lives of our member’s fallen heroes every month of the year.
This month we honour Signalman David Grout, who died after a fatal head injury on 18th May 2010. He left behind his wife, Kerry, and his son Harley, who was just 18 months old at the time.
David, who served with the 204 Royal Signals Regiment, was celebrating his homecoming from Afghanistan when he was attacked while out for a drink with his mum and stepdad. He was just 22 years old.
His wife Kerry, and young son, Harley, were excitedly awaiting his return, but never got to welcome him home.
David, who was based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, suffered severe head injuries, and was rushed to James Cook Hospital in Teesside. He was put on life support and sadly died on 18th May 2010.
At his funeral, a month after his death, David’s Commanding Officer, Major Sally Richardson made the following tribute: “David constantly performed above that expected of him. He was a big personality with an even greater heart.”
Looking back to the day of David’s death, Kerry said she remembers everything being a blur. “I went into a shell” said Kerry. “I’d never really experienced anyone close to me dying before, and I remember everything being such a blur.”
At just 18 months old, Harley was too young to understand what had happened to his dad. Kerry recalls that she couldn’t really explain to him what had happened and that it’s only as Harley has grown up that he’s started to ask for his daddy. Kerry said: “I explained to him that daddy was up in the clouds with the angels.”
For Harley, who is now 12 years old, growing up with very few memories of his dad has been incredibly difficult. To ensure he grows up knowing how brave and caring his dad was, Kerry made Harley a memory scrap book with photos of his dad and included the last photo they had taken together in his bedroom.
Harley and Kerry always do something special every year to mark David’s birthday and the anniversary of his death. “The whole family get together to celebrate his life,” said Kerry, “in the past we’ve let balloons go and thrown glass bottles into the sea, all containing a letter from Harley to his dad. I let Harley decide each year what he’d like to do.”
Described as a doting dad, Kerry has many fond memories of David which she shares with Harley. She said: “David was an amazing father and husband. Family meant a lot to him, and when Harley was born, he was the most doting dad and would show him off to anyone who would listen.”
One of Kerry’s fondest memories of her husband was the day Harley was born, a memory that always makes her smile. She said: “He was so happy when our son was born, he cried like a baby. He couldn’t contain his happiness and kept shouting, ‘It’s a boy! It’s a boy!’.”
Kerry remembers him calling everyone in his phone to tell them the news and just how happy he was at becoming a dad.
David’s first love was his family, he was also a die-hard Manchester United fan, very rarely missing a game. He was also described by Kerry and those who knew him as a lovely outgoing man and always up a laugh. One of things Kerry says she misses the most is “his stupid funny jokes and pranks.”
Missing out on seeing his son grow up is also something Kerry says is really hard, she said: “He was an incredible dad and the hardest thing for me and the thing I miss the most is that he hasn’t been able to see Harley grow up in to the talented and amazing young man he is today.”
Kerry first met David in 2007 when she was 18. At the time, Kerry was working as a cleaner at the Colchester Army Barracks where David was based, and it was after a “very messy” cheese and wine night that they became close. “I walked into David’s block one morning after the lads had enjoyed a cheese and wine party and it was a mess” said Kerry. “There was red wine everywhere, I didn’t know where to start. It was then that David came up to me and said, ‘don’t worry love I’ll get the lads to clean up’, and our relationship started from there.”
Despite promising herself she’d never marry a soldier, Kerry fell for David’s charm and outgoing personality, and the couple married a year later and moved to Dorset.
Harley was born in September 2008. He joined Scotty’s Little Soldiers in 2017.
Over the years, Harley has benefited from the charity’s support network. Kerry said: “For Harley, being around other children in his situation has really helped him. The gifts he receives from Scotty’s also makes him happy and reassures him that people are thinking about him.”
“The charity has been a great help and, although we haven’t been members for very long, attending events like the Christmas parties have been fantastic. Just being able to meet other families and talk to them about their heroes has benefitted us both so much and we’re incredibly grateful.”