On 26th November 2011 my husband James Wilkinson was killed in a training accident out in Kenya where he was on excercise with the 2nd battalion royal regiment of fusiliers.

James and i were married on 30th July 2011 but after our honeymoon i only saw him a handful of times as he was based in Germany.  I moved over there on the 5th November and he left to Kenya on the 7th.

I was 6 months pregnant with our daughter when he died and have a 3 year old son, Connor.

There is nothing that could ever prepare you for that knock on the door, Its a physical wrenching pain that i dont think anyone could imagine unless they had experienced it for themselves. 

I have found in the last year that there is alot of help on offer to me, Bereavment councilling, support groups etc but i often wondered about our kids and wether there was any help for them. 

It is so hard to come to terms with the fact Annabelle will never meet her daddy and i often think about how excited James used to get when he talked about taking Connor to football matches and practices. Our family will never be complete now and even though i am determined to give the kids a good future i know that we will never have the amazing life that James and i spent all our time together planning out.

A few months ago i was put in touch with the Forces Childrens Trust. I cannot begin to describe the amazing things this organisation does for children who have lost a parent in the forces. Recently Connor and i attended the annual christmas party and it filled me with happiness to see Connor with such a big smile on his face.

All the kids that are members of the trust were presented with a lion, On his badge it says Be Proud and Be Strong. I really think those words sum it all up. Above all, the trust fills me with hope. Hope that their is people who care about and want to help these children, Hope that they will grow up with understanding and even pride.Hope that they will experience the happiness and the opportunities that James would have wanted them to.

 

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