OMAGH BOY WINS SCOUT GALLANTRY AWARD
Omagh boy wins Scout gallantry award
By Linda McKee
A YOUNG victim of the Omagh bomb was among the select few invited to Windsor Castle after receiving one of the Scout Movement's top awards for bravery.
Alistair Hall (13), who lost his right leg in the Real IRA attack on August 15, 1998, recently attended a National Scout Service in St George's Chapel after receiving a Scout Award for Gallantry last year.
The scouts who had received the special award were at the chapel on St George's Day for the annual parade of 650 Queen's Scouts, holders of the Scout Movement's top honour for personal achievement.
The Queen's Scouts were reviewed by the Honourable Mrs Betty Clay, the only surviving child of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Worldwide Scout Movement.
When Mrs Clay was introduced to the young people who had received the gallantry award, she told Alistair that she also had a disability and the main thing was to get on with it.
The right to hold the annual National Scout Service within the the walls of Windsor Castle was granted in 1934 by King George V and has continued ever since, interrupted only by the war years.
The Scout Award for Gallantry is given for meritorious conduct, and Alistair received it in recognition of his suffering when he was incapacitated after the bomb.
It was not until December last year that he was back on his feet again after having an artificial limb fitted.
He has now adapted so well that his physiotherapy treatment has ended and has even been playing football and golf and riding his bike as the weather improves.
Alistair is studying technical design and IT at school, and is considering studying prosthetics, or artificial limb design, when he leaves.
His father, Mr Lindsay Hall, said there were few people who got to attend such a distinguished event in their lifetime.
Alistair was nominated for the award by Omagh district commissioner, Mrs Iris Graham.
The day started with a full rehearsal of the Queen's Scout parade, helped by the tuition of drill instructors from the First Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.
The parade itself was accompanied by two bands, the Hallesowen Scout Band, augmented by a drum corps of the City of York Scout Band, and the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
It was followed by the service in St George's Chapel, attended by the Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor. The address was given by Mr Brian Thornton, vice-president of the Methodist Conference.
The scouts were later addressed by the Chief Scout, Mr George Purdy, who is from Northern Ireland and originally presented the gallantry award to Alistair last year.
By Linda McKee
A YOUNG victim of the Omagh bomb was among the select few invited to Windsor Castle after receiving one of the Scout Movement's top awards for bravery.
Alistair Hall (13), who lost his right leg in the Real IRA attack on August 15, 1998, recently attended a National Scout Service in St George's Chapel after receiving a Scout Award for Gallantry last year.
The scouts who had received the special award were at the chapel on St George's Day for the annual parade of 650 Queen's Scouts, holders of the Scout Movement's top honour for personal achievement.
The Queen's Scouts were reviewed by the Honourable Mrs Betty Clay, the only surviving child of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Worldwide Scout Movement.
When Mrs Clay was introduced to the young people who had received the gallantry award, she told Alistair that she also had a disability and the main thing was to get on with it.
The right to hold the annual National Scout Service within the the walls of Windsor Castle was granted in 1934 by King George V and has continued ever since, interrupted only by the war years.
The Scout Award for Gallantry is given for meritorious conduct, and Alistair received it in recognition of his suffering when he was incapacitated after the bomb.
It was not until December last year that he was back on his feet again after having an artificial limb fitted.
He has now adapted so well that his physiotherapy treatment has ended and has even been playing football and golf and riding his bike as the weather improves.
Alistair is studying technical design and IT at school, and is considering studying prosthetics, or artificial limb design, when he leaves.
His father, Mr Lindsay Hall, said there were few people who got to attend such a distinguished event in their lifetime.
Alistair was nominated for the award by Omagh district commissioner, Mrs Iris Graham.
The day started with a full rehearsal of the Queen's Scout parade, helped by the tuition of drill instructors from the First Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.
The parade itself was accompanied by two bands, the Hallesowen Scout Band, augmented by a drum corps of the City of York Scout Band, and the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
It was followed by the service in St George's Chapel, attended by the Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor. The address was given by Mr Brian Thornton, vice-president of the Methodist Conference.
The scouts were later addressed by the Chief Scout, Mr George Purdy, who is from Northern Ireland and originally presented the gallantry award to Alistair last year.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1449
Published Date: 11-May-00
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