Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald | News | MY SEARCH FOR HERO DAD'S FAMILY

Sunday, 7th September, 2008

Published: Friday, 20th June, 2008 12:00

MY SEARCH FOR HERO DAD'S FAMILY

By Fiona Simpson

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A 34-year-old woman who never met her heroic dad is appealing for anyone in Ardrossan or Saltcoats who remembers James Johnston or for any of his family to come forward.

Heide Jackson is in search of family members she has never got to meet.

After living all her life without knowing her father - who died a hero - she is desperate to find out more about him.

With a newborn on the way and four children already, she would love to tell her family what their grandad was like. Heide explained: “I have been looking for members of my family for years, but because I live in Windsor I find it really hard being able to track anyone down.

“Now that I have such a large family myself I would love for them to know more about their grandad and to meet all their other relatives.”

Her father was born in Ardrossan in 1952 and met mum Sally Scott when she was on holiday. However, as James was a Sargent in the 2nd Battalion Scotsgaurd she never got to see him and later moved to Windsor where she had a her daughter Heide.

At the age of eight, Heide tragically lost her father who was killed in a terrible accident.

She explained: “My father died a hero when I was very young. He was coming back from the Falklands War to see us and was travelling down the motorway when he noticed a car accident and got out to help.

“However, when he was helping one of the people who was injured, a car hit him and he was killed. He died at the age of 34 and I never got to meet him but know I want to try and find some of my family.

“It would be amazing if someone came forward with information about my dad or if any relatives of my father would like to speak to me.

“It has been very hard growing up without knowing anything about him and it would be a dream come true if I could find out more.”

If you know anything about her father, James Johnston or are a relative and would like to get in contact with Heide, phone the Herald office on 01294 464 321.

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