A Royal British Legion standard bearer fulfilled a lifelong ambition by representing the Isle of Man in the Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
But Colin Watterson, of St John’s, was fortunate to make the annual event after his flight to London City was cancelled on Friday.
Mr Watterson and his partner Sarah Stuart made it to London thanks to Judith Musgrave, office manager with Citywing, who was also due to travel on the cancelled flight.
She arranged for the couple to fly with the air operator to Gloucester that evening and then hired a car with her husband Brian to drop them off at Wimbledon.
They arrives at their hotel in Earls Court at 10.30pm, seven and a half hours later than planned .
Mr Watterson said: ‘It meant everything to me to be at the biggest event the Royal British Legion host, at one of the biggest venues in the world, and I was representing the island. I had been looking forward to it since January.
‘Without Judith’s assistance I wouldn’t have been there.’
Mr Watterson was at the Royal Albert Hall for 7am the following morning for rehearsals.
And in total he spent some 14 hours at the concert hall.
He said that carrying the Isle of Man county standard during the parade was an ‘amazing experience’.
Mr Watterson, who is the standard bearer of the Port Erin branch, returned to the island on Sunday in time to carry the standard at the Isle of Man National Service of Remembrance at St John’s.
He said BA CityFlyer had apologised, will refund the cost of the flight, and given both air points equivalent of a return trip from the island.
