Grantham military mum to honour son after tragic helicopter crash

A Lincolnshire military wife and mum will take part in the Cenotaph march-past to honour her son who died in a helicopter crash. Remembrance Sunday is a day when the country – and many beyond its shores – come together in a moment of unity and reflection.

The Cenotaph on Whitehall is at the epicentre of this moment of reflection and remembrance. Hundreds of military personnel take part in the day, with hundreds of veterans and members of other organisations taking part in the march-past Lutyens’ design, which was executed in Portland Stone.

One of those taking part is Anthea Nicoll, from Grantham, marching in memory of her son, Andrew Nicoll, who was killed whilst serving in the military in 2003. Born in Doncaster, Anthea attended nursing school in Liverpool for four years before becoming an air stewardess. In 1970, she married Martin Nicoll, a pilot and doctor who served as a flight lieutenant in the RAF until 1971.

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The pair worked in various medical roles in Zambia and South Africa, which is where Andrew and his younger brother Matthew were born. The family then spent nearly a decade in Saudi Arabia, bearing witness to the Gulf War, until they returned to Grantham in 2001.

Both of Anthea's sons joined the army. Matthew was an adjutant in the Household Cavalry, meanwhile Andrew was commissioned into the Army Air Corps, receiving his wings in February 2003. Later that year, while piloting a helicopter during service in Northern Ireland, the helicopter crashed, tragically taking Andrew’s life.

In the years since, Anthea has engaged with various military causes. A singer with the Military Wives choir, she has recently travelled to France to sing at the British Normandy Memorial to mark the 80-year anniversary of D-Day.

She was first connected to armed forces charity SSAFA through an invitation to the National Arboretum for the opening of the Army Air Corps Memorial, which she has visited several times since. Now, she is set to join SSAFA for the Cenotaph march-past this Remembrance Sunday.

Anthea said: "I am so honoured to be attending the Cenotaph march-past. I will be marching in memory of Andy and to remember all those who gave their lives so we could be free."

She added: "Andy was adventurous. He loved climbing mountains in Saudi Arabia, or swimming, or ice climbing in France. He packed so much into his short life, living every moment to the fullest."

A cohort some 50-strong from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity will take part in the march-past. SSAFA has supported the Armed Forces family since 1885. It has a simple aim and that is to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.