Comrades' tribute to Buddy

For 12 years, former Walsall soldier Bill Richards searched for his old Army pal Robert Honeyford.

The pair had become friends while serving together in 1 Platoon A Company 22 Cheshire Regiment from 1964 to 1970.

But when Mr Honeyford left the Army in 1970, the pair lost contact and despite his best efforts, including an appeal in the Express & Star, Mr Richards could not track him down.

Then a few weeks ago, Mr Richards learned the sad news that father-of-two Mr Honeyford, of Stafford, had passed away three years ago aged 62.

Straight away, he and a group of former soldiers sprang into action to make sure they paid their respects to their friend and comrade, nicknamed Buddy for his likeness to Buddy Holly. Former servicemen travelled from across the country to visit Mr Honeyford's grave, in Stafford, on Sunday and pay tribute to a "great friend and soldier".

They also visited St George's Hospital, in Stafford, where Mr Honeyford had been a patient. A garden has been created there by his sister Daphne Sharp, who worked tirelessly for a year to raise more than £80,000 and create a lasting legacy for her brother.

Mr Richards, of Moxley, said: "I'd been looking for Buddy since 2000. Buddy was an excellent lad."