Bugger It: Or It Doesn't Stay Buried

by Stephen John Scott

Bugger It is the unfiltered, deeply human memoir of Stephen J Scott — RAF Regiment veteran, widower, single father, and a man who has lived through conflict, loss, love, and the long road back to himself.

From Cold War Germany to the Falklands, from the chaos of service life to the quiet devastation of grief, Stephen tells his story with honesty, humour, and a refusal to let anything — even the darkest moments — stay buried.

This is a book about service, family, resilience, and the memories that shape us. A legacy for his son and granddaughter, and a testament to the truth that even when life hits hardest, you stand up, you carry on, and you Bugger it.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2026

About the author

Stephen J Scott is a memoirist and former RAF Regiment Gunner whose writing blends humour, honesty, and the lived reality of military service. Born in Dhekelia, Cyprus, and raised across military communities from Singapore to the UK, he brings a lifetime of movement, duty, and reflection to his work.

Serving from 1977 to 1999, Scott experienced the pressures, camaraderie, danger, and human cost that shape those who serve. His memoir Bugger It: Or It Doesn’t Stay Buried captures the moments, memories, and losses that stayed with him long after uniform life ended — told with the grounded voice of someone who lived it.

Now based in Cambridgeshire, he continues to document family history, personal legacy, and the stories that define who we are. His writing is dedicated to his family, his granddaughter Freya, and readers who value real stories told without ego or embellishment.

Reviews

[Frank Adams]

Excellent reminder

Excellent reminder of a military past. Set out similar to a diary but with a visualisation that makes it real entertaining.
Ex-military will identify with it and those who aren't will get a genuine feel for how things can quickly go from good to bad and then worse.

[Elaine. Balding]

An excellent read. Steve has managed to describe the RAF way of life and commaraderie very accurately and described his experiences honestly. Making his book a great read for civilians and servicemen alike.

His candid descriptions of the Falkland Islands took me right back there and provoked many memories.

I look forward to reading the sequel and prequel.

[Stephen Scott]

I wrote this memoir, lived every moment in it, and have read it more times than I can count while shaping it into its final form. It’s a deeply personal story, and I’m proud of what it became.

[Derek Williams]

An excellent read and brought back many memories, some I forgot in my time in The RAF Regiment and made me smile. Highly recommend.