Orders, Decorations and Medals

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24584353 Spr M E Richard RE) in named card box of issue, good very fine £800-1000

Mark E. Richard served with 9 Para Squadron, Royal Engineers. He was severely injured, suffering burns to 38% of his body when the Sir Galahad was hit by three bombs dropped by planes of the Argentine Air Force on 8 June 1982. Whilst being treated for his wounds aboard the S.S. Uganda he was positioned in the next bed to the severely injured Simon Weston and is mentioned by name in Simon Weston’s book Walking Tall, with whom he formed a ‘great friendship’.

Sold with copy of his Certificate of Service as well as copies of various news cuttings which relate that after Simon Weston, he was the second most serious casualty and underwent 18 serious operations. These news cuttings further relate his later struggles and misfortunes, including his subsequent imprisonment for theft in 1990. Mark Richard died in 2006, aged 44 from the effects of smoke inhalation, as a result of his Falklands injuries.