TRIBUTES have been paid to a hero soldier who bravely rescued his injured friend, carrying him through a minefield to save his life, after he died following the Remembrance Day parade.

Father-of-three Archie Beaty, 56, a regular participant at the Marlow service for 15 years, fell ill near to the parade's finish at Marlow Royal British Legion in Station Approach.

Described as "the best dad in the world", Archie could not be saved despite the efforts of paramedics at the scene and doctors at Wexham Park Hospital.

Pipe Major Steve Duffy, his friend from the Scots Guards Assoc. Pipes & Drums, was with him when he collapsed . He told the MFP the story of how Archie saved his life during the Falklands conflict.

Off duty nurses, paramedics and members of the parade had tried helping with CPR at the scene - but ultimately to no avail. It is thought he suffered a heart attack.

The Falklands War veteran was a long time child fosterer, with his wife Diane, taking care of over 53 children in 22 years.

One of Archie's daughters, Claire, 30, said: "He was the best dad in the world. He was selfless, a loving father and foster father.

"It was very fitting that when dad collapsed he had Steve with him, he couldn't have asked for a better person to be with him."

Diane, 52, said: "He was a larger than life character who lived life to the full. He was a very proud man - about everything - his family, his children, where he lived.

"He never really lost his love for the army and I think that, before joining the association band, there was always something missing in his life and when he joined that about six years ago that made him complete. He needed that sort of fix.

"For him to have died on Remembrance Sunday is very fitting for him and he also liked a lot of limelight in the last couple of years so we were saying he couldn't have planned it better."

For the first time, Archie had a chance to lay a wreath.

Diane said: "He was in all his regalia which he loved getting dressed up in. His kilt and stuff. We couldn't have asked more for him, I obviously would have liked to be with him but for him you couldn't have given him anything more special than that day."

She explained he had been through various scrapes during his armed services career.

She said: "We classed him as almost like a cat with nine lives. He had some near misses. He toured Northern Ireland and went to the Falklands."

Of particular note, she said, was that he had a grenade in his army jacket which had probably saved his life.

"He had a grenade in his pocket and a bullet had gone down it and pinged off it. It didn't him, it hit the grenade, and there was bullet marks."

She added: "We used to call him action man because he had to have every gadget going."

Archie served for 15 years, joining as a boy, having come from Scotland. He signed up younger than he was supposed to, forging papers, because he was so keen.

He joined 2nd battalion Scots Guards. He was originally from Bonnybridge, near Falkirk. The family lived in Cyprus before moving back to Windsor in 1986, where they have continued to live until today.

Archie and Diane were recently recognised for their fostering service and to the community by being invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden party in the presence of the Queen.

He leaves behind children Lynn 33, Claire, 30, and Max, 21.

Marlow Royal British Legion Chairman Shaun Murphy said: "Archie's been part of everything that we've done over the past 15 years and has been part of the family and will be very sadly missed by all.
"Our hearts and condolences go out to Diane and her family."


Marlow Mayor, Suzanne Brown said: "I was truly devastated to hear of the death of Archie and on behalf of Marlow Town Council offer sincere condolences to his family and friends."


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