A veteran of the Parachute Regiment has died at the age of 89.
Roy Hallas, of Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, spent 22 years with the Regiment and was also a founder member of the Guards Parachute Platoon, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant.
Mr Hallas had joined the Army at 18, having left school in in his native Huddersfield and had a brief spell as a painter and decorator.
He served in Palestine, Cyprus, Egypt, Germany and Northern Ireland and was also proud to have been on ceremonial duties several times at Buckingham Palace.
His wife Jeanne said: “He loved his time in the Army even when he and his patrol got lost in the Sahara desert for two days.
“He was very proud to have been on duty at the Palace and was also delighted in 2007 when he was personally invited by Prince Charles, Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, to a celebratory dinner”.
Mr Hallas did not sever his links with the Regiment when he left the Army and he became a parachute jump instructor at the Territorial Army base in Bradford.
He also had a short spell playing rugby league with Bradford Northern.
Mr Hallas has two children from his first marriage, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
In his retirement he bought a horse-drawn caravan and for many years was a regular visitor to the famous Appleby Horse Fair, taking two weeks to make the journey from Huddersfield.
A funeral service was held yesterday at St Patrick’s RC Church, followed by cremation.
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