THE life of a war hero, who tragically died during the Remembrance Day parade in Marlow last year, was celebrated in the town at the weekend.

Archie Beaty suffered a heart attack while on parade in Marlow last November but despite the best efforts of paramedics, he could not be saved.

In honouring his life, a special golf day was held in Flackwell Heath on Friday, June 27, and a plaque dedicated to him was unveiled in the Marlow Royal British Legion the next evening.

His daughter, who was at the plaque unveiling, said the family were grateful and overwhelmed at what the town had done for them.

She said: “My dad was well known in the area, down to the parades the Pipes and Drums group does every year.

“All of the immediate family were there and it was nice to see so many people come for the unveiling, we were very grateful and overwhelmed by what they organised.

“It was a really nice tribute to him and it was such a nice event to celebrate his life.

“One of his closest friends (Steve Duffy), who was with him when he died, was also there and he played the pipes.”

Archie had saved the life of his friend during the Falklands conflict and for many years they performed together for the Scots Guards Pipes & Drums Association Band. The plaque for the father of three was unveiled in the evening at the RBL in Station Approach.

It followed on from the Armed Forces day celebrations held in the town earlier that day.

As well as the plaque unveiling, many took part in a golf day at Flackwell Heath Golf Club to commemorate his life.

Marlow Mayor, Cllr Suzanne Brown, said: “It was a poignant event, I think it went really well and the rain just about held off until we finished.

“It has been nice for the town to honour Archie Beaty’s life. He paraded here each year and it was important the town did something to honour him.”