Largs Major Brian Seggie invited to King Charles' coronation

Brian Seggie, 64, told the News he is honoured to receive the rare opportunity as he will be only one of ten military veterans who will be attending the regal occasion on the big day which will be watched by billions around the world on TV.

He served in many war zones such as Northern Ireland, Falklands, Sierra Leone, Angola, Balkans and Iraq as a marine engineer and combat diver - and went on to become second in command of the 165 Port an Maritime Regiment.

A great honour - Largs ma Brian Seggie is delighted to receive his invite for King Charles coronation (Image: Newsquest)
Brian said: "I am humbled and feel very privileged to represent the military community, I am looking forward to the day. 

"I never thought a wee laddie from Largs would be invited to such a special national event.

"It is such a historic occasion. I was surprised to get the invite and I am really quite humbled."

From Paton Quadrant to King's Coronation! Brian Seggie is humbled to be invited to King's Coronation (Image: Royal British Legion) (Image: Royal British Legion)

Brian, who lives near Bournemouth, has an early start as he has to be at Westminster Abbey for 7.15am and the ceremony won't be finishing till 2pm.

Brian is very proud of his role as British Legion ambassador - and is most grateful for all the support he has received from the Legion after he was medically discharged with combat-related injuries.

Brian was born and brought up in Largs, and his father Bill owned The George Hotel and Ye Old Anchor Inn for many years.

Brian has also been invited to the King's Garden Party on May 16 with his wife.

Brian, who has already met King Charles, and other prominent Royals, says he is very proud to have the ambassador's role with the Legion which has given support to so many veterans all year round as they face the sometimes challenging adjustment to normal life.

After leaving Largs Higher Grade School, Brian went to the shipyards to work in 1974 and then joined the British Army and became a marine engineer after receiving training at army apprentice college at Chepstow where he was awarded the Commander in Chief prize for best apprentice.

The experieced veteran has travelled extensively throughout his career including six Belize tours, two tours of the Falkland Islands,and as a qualified army diving supervisor he has been an active commercial military and sports diving instructor since 1985.

One of the most harrowing times for Brian was serving during the Falklands War when British troop transport ships were bombed while unloading at Bluff Cove, with significant damage and casualties on June 8, 1982.

Brian working for peace in war shattered Bosnia as part of the Nato Implementation Force (Image: Newsquest)
In 1997, he took up a post at The School of Logistics as Senior Marine Engineer Instructor where he completed a Master's Degree in Education (2000) during a review of amphibious operational training.

Four years later he took command of a detachment in support operations in Sierra Leone, and then in 2003, he became operations captain and a member of the Port Management Advisory team in Iraq.

Brian was promoted to the rank of Major, and later appeared in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, receiving the Chief of General Staff's award for outstanding service.

He retired from the Army Reserve in 2016 after a busy and fulfilling career.

Brian is also a veterans' advocate with the charity Combat Stress, and a mentor for Care after Combat, which supports ex-service personnel who have been in the criminal justice system.

Brian is pictured helping the United Nations clearing an estuary for landings in Lobito Harbour in Angola (Image: Newsquest)
As he admits himself, it is not bad for a boy who grew up in Paton Quadrant in Largs, while his two younger brothers Stuart and Gary have had long and fulfilling careers in the Royal Air Force.

Brian is married to Claire, and has one son, Andrew, who is 25.

Hailing the "fantastic" support he has received over the years from the Royal British Legion, Brian is now hoping to line up a meeting with former prisoner of war Jack Ransom,who recently celebrated his 103rd birthday.

Jack saw service on the horrors of the Burma Railway in the Second World War, and recently served as president of the Largs branch of the Royal British Legion.