A father whose son died by suicide while serving as an RAF firefighter says his dream of attending the World Cup was fulfilled after a memorial flag bearing his face was taken to the United States. Robert Fleeting, 24, was found hanged in his barracks at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, in September 2011 following a night out with comrades. His parents, Charlie and Susan, from East Kilbride, have worked for nearly 15 years to keep his memory alive and have now seen their son's wish to follow Scotland to a World Cup come true.
Flag travels with Tartan Army supporter
A saltire bearing Robert's face made the journey to the US for the World Cup with family friend Paul O'Reilly, a fellow Scotland fan. Charlie, 64, told the Daily Record: "My son dreamed of following the Scotland team to the World Cup and now he has. It makes me so happy to know how much he would have enjoyed seeing his country play. Even though he never got the chance to go in person, seeing his tribute go all the way to America was so touching."
Steve Clarke's Scotland side faced Haiti and Morocco in Boston before playing Brazil in Miami. Paul headed to the Massachusetts capital with thousands of other Scotland fans for the tournament last month. In honour of Robert, he took a replica of the flag that sits at a memorial waterfall in the family's garden. He brought it to the famous Cheers bar, because "it's the place where everybody remembers your name", as well as to Scotland's matches.
Police officers moved by Robert's story
Pictures taken outside the pub show Paul holding the flag and posing with two local police officers who stopped to ask about Robert. Charlie said: "He was telling everyone about Robert's story and the flag. Two police officers even approached him to ask about the flag. They were overcome with emotion. It's big events like these that Robert has missed out on, that really affect you as a parent. He missed Scotland making the World Cup, having the chance to see it and his little nephew with his kilt on for the games."
Charlie added: "All our family had their Scotland tops on to watch the games. If he was still alive, he'd have been over in Boston and Miami with his kilt on. He was incredibly patriotic and loved bagpipe music because it reminded him of home while he was away from Scotland with the RAF. He would ask me to make up CDs with the music. There is not a day that goes by when I don't think of Robert and all that he has missed."
Parents continue fight for answers
Charlie, formerly of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and his wife Susan have spent almost 15 years seeking answers over their son's death. The 24-year-old's death was ruled a suicide at an inquest. He was engaged to be married when he died. His parents believe he was murdered in an initiation ceremony and insist vital questions remain unanswered. They are waiting to learn whether the High Court will grant a fresh inquest after the Attorney General granted them permission, known as a fiat, to challenge the original inquest earlier this year.
Charlie says the family has never been given the full picture and that DNA found on Robert's t-shirt and curtains seems to indicate more people were involved in his death. They also claim items of his clothing were missing and that they were not initially approached to verify handwritten suicide notes. They hope a new hearing will bring them closer to the truth. Charlie said: "The hardest part is waiting for the truth. Robert's story has reached far and wide and we must continue to do so. It's overwhelming to get all this support from across the world. Our journey for a second inquest is still ongoing. We are hoping for closure. We will always remember him."
