Hero of the Month: Spr Peter McGuire (1983-2019)
Spr Peter McGuire was a focussed, intelligent and loving father, friend and soldier in the Royal Engineers.
Peter served for three years, during which time he and his wife welcomed their daughter, Isabelle.
On the 29th of January 2019, Peter died in a road traffic accident. He was 36 years old. Izzy was just eight.
Spr Peter McGuire
“Peter had a button he could turn on and off,” says Izzy’s mum, Ange. “Around his friends, he was the coolest guy in the room, but with us he was just himself. He loved to play games with Izzy and just be silly with her. She would dress up and do fashion shows for him, and when she was a baby he always enjoyed swaddling her and calling her a little burrito.”
When he wasn’t at work or spending time with Izzy, Peter enjoyed spending time with his friends, reading books and playing video games.
“He enjoyed going out and having fun with his mates, but at home he was always quite introverted. He loved playing video games and would read quite a lot as well – especially James Patterson. He could act daft sometimes, but he was really smart and quite a deep thinker. There was a lot more to him than met the eye.”
Peter and daughter, Izzy
Peter served in the Royal Engineers for three years and spent most of this based close to home, meaning he was able to spend more valuable time with his daughter. Even though he died when she was young, Izzy, who is now 13, has taken after her dad in lots of ways.
“She's got the same smile as him and is also very intelligent and thinks quite deeply about things. She looks so much like him in some ways, too. They share a lot.”
Peter helping Izzy roll some dough
Ange and Izzy have lots of way they like to remember Peter, from looking over old photo albums together, speaking about him openly and regularly and keeping their favourite pictures of him around the house, where everyone can see them. Additionally, they always enjoy sharing their favourite memories of Peter.
“I always think of the time his friends came over for his birthday party and just watching him mess about and be silly around them. Most of the time he was quite serious, so seeing him like that, without a care in the world, was really nice.”
For Izzy, one of her favourite memories comes from a trip to the swimming pool: “When Izzy was three or four, her dad wanted to teach her how to swim. We’ve got a picture of them outside the pool together in their raincoats holding hands. She really loves that picture and says it’s one of her favourite memories.”
Peter biting baby Izzy's toes
Izzy joined Scotty’s in November 2019 and has been supported by the charity ever since, benefitting from Scotty Breaks, grants, group events and access to one-to-one emotional bereavement support. Through these activities she has been able to make happy new memories and meet lots of bereaved military children who can understand and relate to what she’s been through.
“We've been on some Scotty Breaks, which have been amazing because they’ve allowed us to make new memories and talk about Peter without worrying about the pressures of everyday life getting in the way. Izzy’s favourite break was when we went to Butlin’s. She loved going to see all the shows they put on!”
Izzy on a Scotty Break at Butlins
In 2022, Izzy and her mum also attended the Festival of Remembrance with Scotty’s, where they were able to commemorate the life of their loved one with other bereaved military families.
“The Festival of Remembrance was a really amazing, emotional experience. It was lovely to be there with lots of the families Scotty’s support. It's like everyone there knows exactly how you’re feeling and you know how they’re feeling. There’s always someone to chat to and there was a proper sense of community. I know Izzy feels the same.”
Peter kissing baby Izzy at the park
Of all the Scotty events Ange and Izzy have attended, however, one stands out above the rest.
“We both loved the 2021 Christmas party at the Concord Centre. That that was our first Christmas party and it was such a great time. We obviously didn’t know many other Scotty Members or parents at that time, so it was a really good opportunity to make friends with families who had all been through similar things. We all felt so well looked after and there was so much for the kids to do. It was loads of fun.”
Ange continues: “It's like a massive family, and you all have this shared experience that brings you together. People understand what you’re going through and if you feel the need to be alone for a while, people get it. There’s no judgment or anything. Everyone feels very connected.”
Izzy taking a photo with Corporal Scotty
