RSA Liverpool

I first met Les Walsh in Harrogate in January 73, when we both went through the aptitude/selection process. I next bumped into Les on the train to Darlington as we were heading to Catterick to start our basic training. Over the next year I had quite a few laughs with Les (both on exercise and on camp), we became firm friends. The last time I saw Les alive was on the friday before he died. I had just phoned my parents and told them that I would be coming home for the weekend (the first time in two months). I was waiting in the Naafi, for the coaches to arrive when Les came up and asked me if I fancied going to stay at his for the weekend. I explained that I had just phoned my parents informing them that I would be home that weekend. I thanked Les for the offer and we both agreed that I would go and spend the next weekend at his home. The coaches duly arrived and Les said 'Have a good weekend, and I will see you on monday'. It was not meant to be. I remember getting on the coach from Liverpool and returning to Catterick. I had just fallen asleep when the coach was pulled over and we were ordered off the coach by the police. It was about 40minutes later when we found out what had happened. I spent the whole of the following day at the garrison RMP headquarters, where I was informed of Les's untimely death. I was posted out to Germany before his funeral so I never had the chance to say my last goodbyes to a really good guy.

There is a commemorative tablet at the Hartshead services, so anybody passing is asked to have a look and remember those who perished on that cold winters night.