Edinburgh council adopts charter to support Armed Forces children as Capital marks Remembrance Day
Firhill pupil Louisa said that the charter was needed as “children and young people from Forces families are overlooked”
City of Edinburgh Council have adopted a charter to provide more support to children of Armed Forces personnel, coinciding with Remembrance Day events across the city.
Children with parents in the Armed Forces attended the Education, Children and Families Committee where they shared the challenges they face as their parents serve in the military.
Concerns ranged from sudden changes in schooling to having one or more parents away for long periods during deployment.
The Forces Children Charter, which was created by Forces Children Scotland, aims to give support to those affected, ensuring educational continuation when switching schools, and ensuring the emotional wellbeing of children.
Firrhill High School pupil Louise, 16, was one of those to share her experience with the Committee.
She said: “We needed the Charter because so often the experiences and rights of children and young people from Forces families are overlooked. We don’t get a say in decisions that affect our lives, but they have an impact on us and can affect our mental health.
“We’re also proud to be part of a Forces family, we want that to be recognised and we want to be able to celebrate our identity as a Forces child.”
Following the visit from the pupils, the Education, Children and Families Committee agreed to uphold the charter and will encourage schools to engage with the 10 commitments set out in the document.
Councillor James Dalgleish, convenor of education, children and families, said:“It was fantastic to hear from some of the young people behind this charter.
“At the Education, Children and Families Committee we heard how forces children face a lot of difficulties with frequent school moves, often last minute and dealing with their parent being absent for long periods.
“I hope the charter will help these young people feel supported and aid them on their learning journey.”
It comes as Remembrance Day events were held across the Capital on Wednesday, November 11, including a two-minute silence at 11am to commemorate Armistice Day and soldiers who have died in combat.
People gathered at the Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens as part of national events, with Rev Dr Karen Campbell leading a short service. Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Royal British Legion Scotland chief executive Claire Armstrong, and Poppyscotland chief executive Leanne Bonner were among those to lay a wreath in the gardens.
Among those present at the Garden of Remembrance service was Alex Hunter, from Edinburgh, who is the nephew of Victoria Cross recipient Thomas Peck Hunter.
Mr Hunter, who is First Minister John Swinney’s cousin, said his family remember their relative’s sacrifice every November 11.
Thomas Peck Hunter, who served as a Royal Marines commando, was posthumously awarded the military’s highest honour for gallantry due to his actions at the battle of Lake Comacchio in the closing stages of the Second World War.
The 21-year-old corporal protected his comrades by drawing German machine gun fire as he charged into enemy positions armed with a Bren gun.
He forced enemy troops to surrender before he was killed by a stray bullet.
Mr Hunter said: “I lost three uncles during the war, so I’ve got to think of them as well.”
He said his grandmother donated the VC medal to the Royal Marines museum during the 1970s.
One of those present to receive it was his uncle’s commanding officer during the war.
Mr Hunter said it is also important to remember the families of those who fell in war, saying: “I think my gran suffered for the rest of her life.”