TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Maryport soldier, who throughout his life gained many accolades serving the country he loved.

Tom Kirkbride Scott died surrounded by loved ones at home on Sunday, June 23 following a short illness at the age of 86.

Born in Maryport in 1937, Tommy joined the King's Own Border Regiment at the age of 15 as a cadet. He served for 26 years in the King's Own, before being seconded to the parachute regiment, seeing active combat in Aden, Cameroon, Egypt, Malaysia and Guyana and living in Berlin for a number of years.

He was married to Mary for over 40 years before she passed away in 2020.

He leaves behind loving daughters Jenifer Milne, Elizabeth Hunter, Ann Scholey and Sandra Milligan as well as grandson Shaun and many other loving grandchildren.

Speaking about her father, Elizabeth said: “He might have only been 5ft.5 but he was tough... he was army through and through, it was totally his life.

“He was a character. He had a great sense of humour, polite until the end and never lost his temper.

“He was a brilliant dad, he would do anything for you, absolutely anything.”

Tom during active service in Borneo.Tom during active service in Borneo. (Image: Supplied)

Tom was also given the Freedom of the City of London after his part in the Siege on the Iranian Embassy. He never talked about his service until much later in life, but he also received medals for campaign service in Northern Ireland, Borneo, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain amongst other.

Known to many as Tommy, he was a much-loved and popular figure in Maryport, enjoying socialising in the pubs, walking on the beaches with his best friend Joe Collier, as well as coven and blackite picking in his spare time.

“He thought Maryport was the best thing since God invented it! He thought Maryport was the only place worth living," said Elizabeth.

He was a soldier until the end. Sandra said: “When the Falklands war was on he was sat with his kit bag by his chair ready to be called up. He was absolutely gutted when he wasn’t...”

David Gillhesby, veteran and friend of Tom said: "He was a regular visitor to our cafe Her Citi and always dropped off foraged items... brambles, apples.

"He always had a brilliant sense of squaddie humour. He was a loveable cheeky rogue and a very proud veteran, having served in the King's Own Border Regiment and parachute regiment. He always wore his para wings wherever he went.

"His stories and army tales were legendary. Never missed the veterans meet up on Remembrance Day every year. Unfortunately Tom couldn't make the D-Day commemoration I organised on June 6 however a lovely veteran Anna Todd organised a beautiful meet up at Tom's doorstep, where all the veterans gathered around Tom and his daughters while an army cadet bugler played the Last Post.

"All were moved to tears... he was a great friend and will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered."

Donations are said to be made to Hospice at Home West Cumbria following the fantastic care they provided Tom at the end of his life.