Ayrshire veteran invited to Garden Party at Palace
AYRSHIRE Legion stalwart Alastair Kennedy has been invited to Buckingham Palace for the Not Forgotten Veterans Garden Party later this month.
The event on May 17 commemorates those who served with the British forces in Borneo, the Malaysian Peninsula and Aden.
Three Towns man Alastair, who will be 85 this year, will be accompanied by his friend and carer Willie Duffy.
And they will be staying at the home of legendary stuntman and motorbike rider Eddie Kidd OBE and his partner Billie, who Alastair described as his ‘regimental god-daughter’.
Billie’s father served with Alastair in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders many years ago.
Alistair, now a member of the Kilwinning Legion branch, said: “They will be looking after us in London.
“They will be guests at the Garden Party too as they are huge supporters of the Not Forgotten Veterans and have raised thousands of pounds for the cause.”
Alastair himself has raised over £200,000 for Poppy Scotland over the years and was made a life member back in 2008.
He was also awarded Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee Medal, with accompanying certificate.
He and his late wife Betty were also presented to The Queen at the Holyrood House Garden party in 2006. They had a five minute conversation with Her Majesty.
Sadly, Betty passed away in 2007.
Alastair says the proudest moment of his life was being asked to lay the wreath on behalf of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at the Cenotaph in London two years ago.
He added: “That was a great honour for me.” The veteran continued: “We are lucky enough to be hosted again by Billie and her partner Eddie, the world famous motorcyclist.”
Eddie, who did stunt work on James Bond movies and many other box office smashes, once took on Robbie Knievel, son of legendary daredevil Evel, in a world title motorcycle jump off in Mississippi, where he won by six feet.
But he was involved in a serious crash in 1996 at the Bulldog Bash, held at Long Marston Airfield. In a coma for three months, he suffered brain damage and remained paralysed.
Despite his injuries, Eddie still managed to compete in the 2011 London Marathon, ditching his wheelchair at the start and walking all the way - even though it took him 52 days to complete the course.
Alastair is looking forward to catching up with Eddie and Billie during their London trip.
Congratulations to Alastair on his latest honour from all at Ayrshire Weekly Press.