Craftsman Ronald G Riches

My knowledge of the LAD 16th Parachute Brigade HQ is limited to the time that I served with the unit shortly after the Brigade's return from the Canal Zone when it was commanded by WO1 "Barney" Merritt and when he left temporarily by WO11 Warberton. Late in 1955, the unit was taken over by WO1 Dobson-Youngman who was still there at the time of my demob. I remember Sergeant "Larry" Dace and corporals Pickworth, Jones, Livingstone and the clerk, Corporal Geordie ??. Happy Days!!

Reference David Coup. Dave was a lance corporal welder during my time with the L.A.D (1955/6). Apart from WO1 Barney Merritt and Sergeant Larry Dace, he was the only married member of the unit and his wife would sometimes come to the workshop pushing a pram that may have contained David junior. I actually taught Dave Coup to drive on a 6x4 Austin recovery gantry together with Corporal Jock Livingstone and a fellow national serviceman, Bill ??? a civilian carpenter.