A local lad, John Aitchison, brought up in Kilmallie Parish Church, has been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. 

At the rank of Watch Commander, now an instructor, John has been helping with earthquake relief in Nepal and elsewhere for many years and was instrumental in founding Everest Fire and Rescue, the official emergency service of the Everest region of Nepal.

You can read the report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service here. 

Locally, here in Kilmallie, we have a very proud Mum!