Paddy was a great man

I would just like to say what an inspiring man he was.

I remember that myself and three other friends bunked off school one day in 1986 and we ended up speaking to Paddy.

The next thing we knew all four of us had our careers mapped out for us and all four of us ended up joining the Army.

He came to see our pass out parade and we met up many times throughout our careers.

I received many a guided tour round Royal Hospital Chelsea with him and my troops or sometimes a private visit. You could see he loved to conduct the tours whilst throwing in some interesting facts and some of his own life stories at the same time.

I am still serving the MoD and owe so much to him.

My family and I visited him during his last days in Chelsea Westminster hospital and attended his memorial on January 28.

It was great to see so many people paying their respect and I hope the same happens at Peterlee on Saturday.

Unfortunately, I shall be out of the country on Saturday so cannot attend.

God bless, Paddy, so many of us in the North East owe so much to you, RIP my friend.

Paul Gallagher