9 Poppies – An In Memory Challenge

In Memory of David Malcolmson, his colleagues and our many Fallen Heroes – 9 Bright Red Poppies.

The large group of climbers/walkers were huddled together on the slopes to protect themselves from the biting wind and blizzard snowfall, visibility at the time had diminished to a few feet. Fortunately Matt, James, Keith and I had bought a rope up as conditions were reported to be poor, not many had made the summit of Ben Nevis during the early Winter, not without crampons and poles because of the amount of snowfall.

We asked the group to join us, determined Scottish accents replied as they seemed somewhat relieved and pleased to be asked, “going to the summit” we asked, “Aye” was the reply, “on a mission” they said?

We all ascended further between the cairns, piled remembrance rocks to help show the way through the clouds and onto the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis on a Summer day can be harsh but also deadly in mid Winter, the wind was arctic, the cloud was almost blanket, no-one dared take their eyes from the walkers heels in front, we continued ascending through the arduous conditions.Then suddenly we were there, the summit had arrived just as quick as the snow storm did, a gap in the clouds gave way to bright sunshine and everyone’s spirits picked up.

Then suddenly the group of Scottish guys moved over to the rescue shelter, one of them dropping to his knees as he pulled out 9 bright red poppies from his backpack, he took them and placed each one carefully into the snow, loved ones names clearly written on each, Husbands, Sons, Fathers, Brothers and Uncles.

We stood in amazement and watched silently as the wind blew across the summit, reality of what the reason for them to be ascending in such harsh conditions. The mission was complete, to place these 9 poppies at the highest point of the UK, so others who arrived could remember that we were able to climb and venture because so many had given their own lives in protecting us, our loved ones, our very own family and friends.

I never met Guardsman David Malcolmson, Derek Denholm, Clark Mitchell, James Reynolds, John Simeon, Archibald Stirling, Ronald Tanbini, Daniel Wight, John Pashley, but I will never forget they all gave their lives on 13th/14th June 1982 during the battle of Mount Tumbledown in the Falklands War.

The 9 poppies sat proudly in the snow, a day I will never forget, grateful for what I have, grateful for what I am able to do, I will always remember David Malcomson and his brave colleagues on Tumbledown, that day and on every Armistice, Remembrance Poppy Day.

“Lest We Forget those that never came home,
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”