Richard lived near me in Hampshire, but we had only recently re-established contact when he was given the news that he had an inoperable tumour on the liver and had 5 weeks to live. He was determined - a defining characteristic - to last longer than that and indeed saw his 66th Birthday in December and Christmas at home with his loving family.

The funeral was standing room only. OFs present were Norman Porter, Peter Howard-Dobson, Nigel Burnip,Charles Carter, Charles Blackmore and me. There were a large number of wearers of the Queen's Own Hussars tie, as well as those representing other regiments. I learned that Richard had been the youngest soldier in the Army at the time to be a holder of the Military Cross.

A real character (a member of the Cock-Up Club), a fine sportsman, a terrific advertisement for Framlingham and a man who will be missed by many.