For those that don't know, one of our long-standing members, Andy Welsh, known by many, passed away on Thursday. At home after a health problem.

I'm sat on a beach in Yorkshire, thinking of what we have lost. Just finished an ode to our friend and leader. Thought you might like it.

LOSS OF A BUDDIE

Today I lost a buddy, Andy was his name. A man I came to admire, he treat us all the same.

I was sent to 1 Para Mortars, along with other men. We had no idea what was ahead, we were much younger then.

Andy was a corporal, someone you had to obey, Andy got a grip of using his own inevitable Scots way.

He became our leader, he taught us all he could, of course there were the hard bits, when our brains seemed made of wood.

But Andy passed his knowledge on, and he became a friend. He often took the Michael yeah, but we made it in the end.

He left some times for greater things, to teach others soldiers skills. Andy came back often though to teach us other thrills.

The friendship grew like Para's do, and we all act like brothers. Even if it is a fact, we all had different mothers.

We kept in touch as years went by, and met up at annual do's. We talked like we'd met days ago, and were in No. 2's.

We all would act like we were young back in those great times. Many in a dangerous place, but some in sunny climes.

But now our much loved leader's passed, and made us weep a bit. Gob Bless you Andy Welsh, my friend. I'll see you in a bit.

WOII. Andy Welsh 😢

HUEY