Hero of the Month: Sqn Ldr Andrew Bull (1978 – 2020)
Squadron Leader Andrew Bull was a loyal, ambitious and devoted husband, father and pilot in the Royal Air Force. He joined the RAF in 1999 and served for 21 years. For many of those years, Andrew served on the frontline, collecting reconnaissance in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, he became an instructor – a position that allowed him to spend more time with his family.
In July of 2020, Andrew was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He later suffered a heart attack before dying of liver failure on the 1st of November 2020. He left behind his wife, Abi, and their two children, eight-year-old Ava and five-year-old Alex.
Andy and his daughter, Ava
“Andy loved football and was very into fitness,” says Abi. “He’d take part in bootcamps and did lots of virtual bootcamps with the kids during lockdown. In his last two years he started sailing, which he really wanted to develop. As a pilot, he’d reached the point where he felt he’d done everything he could. Sailing was a new challenge he could sink his teeth into.”
Andrew’s dedication was matched only by his ambition, and he enjoyed working towards whatever goal he set himself.
He had dreams of one day moving to the Caribbean and starting up a boating business. He always had very lofty goals, but once he put his mind to something, he always completed it to the best of his ability.”
Andy and his family at the Wright Brothers National Memorial
Despite remaining extremely active his whole life, Andrew’s favourite pastime was relaxing at home and spending time with his children, Ava and Alex.
“He was quite a homebody for someone who joined the Air Force. More of a family man than out-with-the-lads type. I think instructing suited him well because he was at home all the time, which made him happy.”
Andy carrying his two children, Ava and Alex
Ava and Alex were only nine and six when their daddy died, but Andrew left them both with lots of happy memories of their time spent together.
“Andy was normally quite serious, but he was so fun with the kids. He’d always be throwing them up and down, playing games, reading bedtime stories and making up songs for them. One of my favourite stories is how he always used to say he would never sing when we have children – he thought it was embarrassing. Then, when our daughter was just six days old, he started calling her ‘Pukin’ Majookin’ and made up a whole song about her which stuck around for a long time. It seemed to come out of nowhere. He really showed a different side of himself around the kids. It was like he saved all his silliness up for them.”
Andy and his family stopping for a photo by a waterfall
Andrew showed his softer side around the children in other ways, too. He was an extremely proud, hands-on father and enjoyed spending time with the children as they worked towards their own goals.
“Andy was very connected to everything the kids did and liked to be as involved as he could. If he took them to a taekwondo lesson, he would stay and watch the whole thing. He also read to them every single night. Our daughter won’t read Harry Potter as she and Andy were halfway through it when he died.”
Andy introducing Ava to her baby brother for the first time
Andrew may no longer be with them, but Abi and the kids still have lots of ways they like to remember him and honour his life.
“We have a little space for him in the house where we keep his ashes and medals. It's very visible, so it’s always there and we see it every day. We also celebrate his birthday every year and invite lots of family around so we’re not on our own. We all eat his favourite food, or food that reminds us of him, like red velvet cake and mozzarella sticks. It’s always a very sad day for us, but we try to focus on celebrating his life and thinking about the good times we had as a family.”
In addition to their own celebrations, Abi and the family are trying to establish a flying trophy in Andrew’s memory at the RAF training squadron in Loughborough, where he was an instructor.
“We just like to speak about him daily, share stories and never stop saying his name.”
Abi, Ava and Alex outside the Royal Albert Hall
Ava and Alex joined Scotty’s Little Soldiers in early 2022 and have been supported by the charity ever since, benefitting from Scotty Breaks, grants and access to one-to-one bereavement support. They have also attended various events with Scotty’s including the BBC One’s Festival of Remembrance and the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph Parade, as well as our 2022 Christmas party. Through these events, Ava and Alex have been able to meet lots of bereaved military children who understand what they’ve been through.
Abi and Alex with Scotty's founder, Nikki
“Andy’s funeral was the 11th of November, so that time is already very personal to us. Attending Remembrance weekend with Scotty’s felt intimidating at first, but it was such a brilliant experience. Before Andy died, being a military wife was an important part of my identity. When he died, I suddenly stopped being both military and a wife, and in addition we moved house shortly after. It was very jarring. Going to Remembrance and hearing all those people clap us was the first time the kids and I felt like we’d been able to step back into that military community.”
Ava holding a Scotty's placard during the Remembrance parade
Abi and her family have also enjoyed a Scotty’s Break to Center Parcs Sherwood – a place which holds a special meaning to them, as they used to enjoy going there with Andrew. Recently, they also attended their first Scotty’s Christmas party.
“The kids loved the party – it was just amazing and gave the kids such a burst of confidence. We went to see some of Andy’s family in a panto the night we went home. My son is normally quite shy, but when they asked for volunteers he put his hand up straight away and went on stage. I’m sure it was because of the Christmas party. It bolstered him so much and really brought him out of his shell. It’s had a really positive effect on all of us.”
Alex wearing his Scotty scarf, a poppy and his dad's medals
