To mark Remembrance 2024, an Army Reservist has recorded a powerful song that pays tribute to those that have given their lives for their country.
Credit: Thao Nguyen
Taken in 2019, when she was part of the 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital.
Lieutenant Colonel Thao Nguyen is a busy General Practitioner at an NHS practice in Milton Keynes. But, on top of her civilian and military commitments, she somehow also finds the time to write and record songs inspired by her military service.
Being part of the military family means a lot to me. I feel it is important to remember and celebrate those who have given their lives in service, but we also must not forget those who are left behind.
As an accomplished mezzo soprano singer, Thao has released a string of songs, including Be The Best (in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund), Valour, and In Arduis Fidelis (for the Royal Army Medical Corps).
Her latest recording, Lest We Forget, comes out at the same time as she celebrates a prestigious national award from a veterans’ charity.
On 23 October, Thao won the Reservist of the Year 2024 category in the Veterans Awards.
The award recognised Thao’s work supporting veterans, which has included organising veteran health fairs, supporting NHS general practices to sign up to the Veteran Accreditation Scheme, and training civilian healthcare professionals on veterans’ health.
Thao has been in the Army Reserves for nearly 25 years and has served as a Regimental Officer, Unit Medical Officer, and Sub-unit Commander. She currently holds a staff position, supporting medical plans for Headquarters Regional Command.
Her medical expertise has been vital in various deployments, including training exercises and a four-month tour in Kenya, providing essential medical support where needed.
Thao explains her motivation for writing Lest We Forget:
“Being part of the military family means a lot to me. I feel it is important to remember and celebrate those who have given their lives in service, but we also must not forget those who are left behind.
I wanted to look after our soldiers in times of war and peace and to develop as an individual and gain experience of life and leadership. The Army has given me that through many activities, such as sports, adventure training and travel to France, USA, Germany, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Kenya, and New Zealand.
“I wrote Lest We Forget to commemorate those who have fallen but also to give some peace to those who have lost their loved ones in service. Without their sacrifice we would not have the freedom we cherish today.”
Thao supports many charities, including SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, as a medical advisor where she oversees training for case workers, and a charity for homeless people in Milton Keynes.
Over the years, Thao has raised thousands of pounds for good causes, including military charities.
She adds:
“I was a Vietnamese refugee following the 1970s post-Vietnam war conflict. A British ship rescued us, bringing us to the UK.
“I joined the British Army to give back to the country that gave me and my family a new start.
“I wanted to look after our soldiers in times of war and peace and to develop as an individual and gain experience of life and leadership. The Army has given me that through many activities, such as sports, adventure training and travel to France, USA, Germany, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Kenya, and New Zealand.
“As a petite person, physical challenges have been the most challenging, both physically and mentally. At times you just want to quit but there have always been people around who are encouraging and when you make it, it all seems worthwhile. It makes you realise that your body and mind can do anything you set them to.”
Thao’s time in the Army Reserves has given her the confidence to perform at many military functions and civilian events, raising awareness about military life.
She has sung in front of 16,000 football fans at the MK Dons Stadium before a match when the club signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
While serving as a unit medical officer, Thao’s role involved ensuring the health and wellbeing of soldiers and, when troops were deployed, providing primary and trauma care.
