A simple mistake on 7/7 cost my son his life

Examining the London tube map,Graham Foulkes offered his son David some advice for navigating the underground system. The 22-year-old had just started a new job as a media sales manager in Manchester and was needed in the capital for a meeting. 

‘It was David’s first time travelling that far on his own,and he was so excited,’ Graham,73,tells Metro.

‘I gave him the usual dad advice – whether he should bother trying to find a seat or not,and I told him exactly which way to go.

‘Work had booked for him to stay in a fancy hotel for the night and had told David they would expense a few alcoholic drinks with his meal,so I joked they didn’t know how much a young northern lad could drink and warned him not to make a nuisance of himself.’

However,on the morning of July 7 2005, David ended up going in the wrong direction on the Circle line – and stood just a few metres away from one of the bombers when they set off an explosion at Edgware Road.

It was one of four devices to be detonated in quick succession across London transport that day,killing 52 people and injured nearly 800 more.

David Foulkes was killed in the blast at Edgware Road (Picture: PA)

‘We were left with nothing but the news for a week’

Graham was at work when David’s boss rang him to tell him he hadn’t turned up to the meeting. At the same time,a TV in the office was turned on to show the chaos unfolding in London.

‘His work told me they were going to call the police as I was watching the scenes of the bombings on the screen in front of me,’ Graham recalls. ‘It was only when a colleague came up to ask me if I was worried that the seriousness of the situation dawned on me. I froze.’

For the next few hours,he and his wife Janet clung onto any information they could find on news channels. 

Graham Foulkes says walking past David’s empty room every day still feels as painful as the day he died (Picture: MCPIX)

‘We tried to console ourselves by saying he had probably made his way to a pub somewhere and was watching it all unfold,’ adds Graham.

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After a sleepless night at their home in Saddleworth,the couple began ringing around hospitals and dedicated information lines – which were at premium rate,which ended up costing the family hundreds of pounds – but were told nothing.

‘We did consider going down to London,but we were worried that someone would call us on the landline and we would miss it,’ he explains.

Two days later a plain clothed police officer arrived at the house,asking Graham and Janet for cheek swabs. When the worried parents asked what was happening,the officer said he knew nothing – only that he had been asked to come over and collect the swabs. 

‘We were reading every newspaper for clues to see if David had been killed,’ remembers Graham. ‘By Monday,we still hadn’t been to bed,but then we got a phone call asking for David’s dental records.’ 

King Charles' message marking 20 years

The King has asked for the country to reaffirm its commitment to building a society of all faiths and backgrounds,standing against those who seek to divide us.He said: ‘Today,as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005,my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer’s day.‘We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil – and the enduring grief of their loved ones.‘We recall,too,the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars,and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.‘In doing so,we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day.‘The selfless bravery of our emergency services,transport workers,and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.’Other members of the royal family are to join services and memorials to mark the anniversary.On behalf of the King,The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral from 11.30am on Monday.The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity.He said: ‘While the horrors will never be forgotten,we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity,solace and determination.‘It is this spirit of unity that has helped London,and our nation,to heal.‘As we remember those we lost,let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding,always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.’

‘When it’s your son’s body,you look’

Six days after the attack,the family received call from a police officer. ‘He asked us if we were home and if he could come over,and I knew straight away David was dead,’ Graham remembers.‘That night,we spent the night crying but finally got some sleep.’The family say they were then left at home for the week with nothing but the news,until officers drove the couple four hours down to London to identify David’s body in the mortuary.They were warned not to look under the blanket as he was so close to the bomb. ‘I know they wanted to spare us the horror of seeing those injuries. But when it’s your son,you look,’ says Graham.The damaged interior of the Underground Tube train at Edgware Road (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)Emergency services arrive at Edgware Road station(Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

‘They couldn’t even provide us with a cup of tea’

The grieving dad then had to make one of the most difficult phone calls of his life,to tell his daughter Jill,who had just moved to the US to study,that her brother had died.The next few weeks were a blur for the family,spent travelling back and forth to London trying to find answers and meeting the loved ones of other victims.‘Everything had just become a battle,from getting legal aid to even asking for a cup of tea at the inquest,’ Graham explains.

Remembering 7/7

Read more:

‘Commuters thought they were invincible until 7/7 – I fear it could happen again’

‘The Tavistock Square bus exploded right in front of me’

‘My instinct was just to help people – it changed my life’

‘I lost my daughter in the London 7/7 bombings,this is her story’

David’s mum Janet felt like she was left with no choice but to retire from her job after work became too difficult under the stress of grief.

Meanwhile,from her college dorm room,Jill wrote to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer,Gordon Brown,asking to secure funding for the memorial in Hyde Park.

‘We’d initially been told no to a memorial,but after my amazing daughter wrote to Gordon Brown,he responded very quickly offering £1 million.’

Emergency services assist evacuated passengers at Edgware Road (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

‘I am extraordinarily proud of him’

20 years on from the attack,David’s friends and family still get together to celebrate his life.

This included holding two separate funerals in the months after his death,to organising a 40th birthday party for him.

For the anniversary memorial today,one of David’s old friends has even flown in from New Zealand to help mark the day.

Graham said: ‘David was just one of those people who had lots of friends – he was empathetic and kind.

‘Before his death two of his friends were in hospital at the same time,and David was the first to see them,invite them over and take them to the pub.

‘I was extraordinarily proud of him that day.’

‘It has almost been as long without David as we had with him,’ says Graham (Credits: MCPIX)

Their grief is still everpresent,however.

‘David’s room was left untouched for a number of years. Walking past his empty bedroom,even after 20 years,gets to you. Every single morning,’ says Graham.

Today’s anniversary is set to be even sadder for the family this year,with David having died nearly as long ago as he lived. ‘I mean it has almost been as long without him as we had with him,’ his dad adds.  

‘After 20 years,there’s a whole generation that have to live in a world where the risk of a terror attack is a part of everyday life. The new generation are now the age of many of the victims,and the bombers.

‘We must be the ones to stop terror ourselves – the government is incapable of doing it themselves. We need to respect each other,it’s up to us.’