AN ARMY veteran from Kingsteignton will be among hundreds of military personnel past and present taking part in the Cenotaph march-past in London on Remembrance Sunday.
David Cameron will be part of the 50-strong cohort from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity taking part in the event.
After two decades of service, he left the Army in 1994 and moved to Kingsteignton where he lives today.
He worked in various roles, growing his post-military career in environmental health and safety.
But in 2019, he was the victim of a horrific knife attack that caused significant damage to his knees.
The life-altering injuries have forced David to remain off work ever since, while he has had both knees replaced.
It was this experience that inspired David to become involved with the SSAFA charity.
He said: ‘I joined SSAFA recently as a caseworker as I wanted to try to help other veterans avoid the pain, suffering and anxiety I have gone through during the last five years.
‘I have paraded my town every year until my knees stopped me, to pay my respects to those who paid the ultimate price and to those who have passed in service to our country.
‘I have always wished to pay my respects in the most prestigious parade in the UK, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to do so.’
Born into a military family in 1961, David spent most of his childhood in West Germany while his father served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
On his father’s retirement from the Army, the family returned to live in Glasgow.
David attended high school in Glasgow until the age of 16, at which point he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military in 1977.
This marked the beginning of nearly two decades of military service during which David was posted to various parts of the Army.
In 1988, he joined 20 Armoured Brigade Headquarters, where he was deployed to Saudi Arabia as a cell controller during the first Gulf War.
Reflecting on his service, David said: 'During my entire service and particularly during the Gulf war I felt fear for my life, which made me appreciate what my military predecessors and some ancestors must have felt during the First and Second World Wars.
‘From this I have had an enduring feeling of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.’
In his spare time, David spends time with his wife, Tina, and their three dogs.
With a passion for four-legged friends, David does gun dog training, and the couple travel the UK judging Rally Obedience competitions at various levels, up to level six, and Scent Competitions.
SSAFA has supported the Armed Forces family since 1885. It has a simple aim and that is to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.