A hero soldier from Neilston is honoured with a memorial trophy

David Timmins was serving with the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) in Helmand Province in 2009 when he was seriously injured in an explosion.

He lost his right eye and had a fractured skull and collapsed lung, which led to months at an Army rehab centre.

David was later awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for saving a badly-injured comrade just days earlier and for his work defusing Taliban mines.

He went on to become an inspirational fundraiser for other injured veterans.

Tragically, David died in his sleep on January 6 last year, at the age of 39, shortly after learning his fiancée Liane Brophy was expecting a child.

Their son, also named David, was born six months later.

David with his sister Susan and parents Stephen and Cathy

Now his RLC colleagues have presented the Timmins family with a memorial trophy which will be awarded on an annual basis to a cadet who has shown impressive determination to overcome challenges.

David’s parents, Stephen and Cathy, were also given replicas of his medals.

Cathy has thanked her son’s former colleagues for their support.

She told the Barrhead News: “I wish my son was here, instead of medals, but it is still a wonderful thing for my husband and I to have.

“They’ve been so good to us and there is now a beautiful trophy with David’s name and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal on it that will be given to the best recruit every year.”

An Army spokesman said the trophy is a fitting tribute to David, who was also dad to son Rhys from a previous relationship, given the courage he showed after being left so badly injured in the 2009 explosion.

He added: “With sheer determination and intensive rehabilitation, he beat the odds and survived.

“Undaunted, he threw his life into supporting other veterans’ charities and also working with Army cadets in Easterhouse.

“The trophy will be awarded annually at Army Cadet Camp to the cadet who has strived most to overcome challenges.”