Forces Online

Tom Howat, known as Tam to his military mates, served in the REME, leaving as a WO2. Later, he decided to help other veterans who had fallen on hard times, generally with homelessness issues.

Tom worked for another large charity when he contacted Forces Online. He and I became friends, and later Tom joined Forces Online CIC as a director, working towards what is now Forces Online CIO and Forces Online Scotland, a unique cross-border veterans’ charity.

I have always been a bit of an ideas person, often back then wanting to speedily push ahead with my ideas, whereas Tom was much steadier. He was a great list writer and tick-box person, with a steady approach to moving forward.

Then, on a sunny day in November 2016, Tom and I met in Piccadilly, central London, to have a meeting with another well-known employment organisation who Tom was friendly with. We had a jolly time, two older veterans together in London.

I worked in central London many moons ago when I initially left the Royal Green Jackets and worked in what was then the tallest building in London. By then, it was completely dwarfed by the new tower blocks surrounding it.

Following a chat in a café in Piccadilly, which was packed with people, Tom worked through his long list of where he thought the organisation was heading and his to-do list of what was needed. Following this, we walked along the banks of the Thames chatting.

We missed the meeting venue, being so carried away, and had to walk back to it. Tom had a hip operation a while before, but this did not stop him enjoying the walk. I did ask him a few times if he was okay, and he just said yes.

We had a great meeting with the employment agency about how we might help each other and spread the word about our own plans. I knew that Tom was working at Somerset House later, and following the meeting we crossed the river and found ourselves walking up Fleet Street.

I could see that Tom was starting to get uncomfortable with walking, so it was no surprise to me that, when going past a bus stop where a bus pulled in, he asked the driver if he was going anywhere near Somerset House. The driver replied that yes, he was passing it.

Tom got on the bus and said he would call me tomorrow. I tried to ask him where the nearest underground was to get back to Fulham, where I had left my car earlier in the day. He just said he did not know, just keep walking and I would find one. To this day, I am not sure why I did not get on the bus with him.

The following morning, I woke to the news that Tom had suffered from health issues just a few minutes after leaving me, and had passed away.

At Tom’s funeral, I told the family that the charity restricted fund would be in Tom’s name, and over six years later it is finally officially happening.

Rest in peace, old friend.