This is only the second time years that I have publicly spoken about the death of my father Major Peter Willis, company commander of The Green Howards Regiment - killed in Northern Ireland during an IRA ceasefire on 17th July 1975.

He was due to have returned home to his family but was reported to have opted to stay with his young and inexperienced soldiers. The South Armagh border was treacherously dangerous and they needed his guidance and support. He did not come home and left behind my widowed mother and his three sons aged 9, 7 and 4.

Roll on 50 years and knowing that you only regret things you do not do, I felt compelled to visit his grave in Chester for the first time in my life. Thankfully my brother Nick Willis joined me and helped me on the most emotional day of my life.

Gratuitous sympathy is not the aim of this post, instead I would like it to have purpose. This is why I am raising funds for Greg Mangham's, Only A Pavement Away in his crusade to find jobs in hospitality for those armed forces and ex-offenders living on the street.