A GROUP of paratroopers have honoured a former soldier who joined the SAS.

Nine Suez veterans travelled to Hereford last week to pay their respects to James Edwards Daubney.

He was part of the Elgamil 56th movement that was dropped in the latter stages of the crisis.

He later became a second warrant officer and was based at Stirling Lanes. The 40-year-old died following a parachute failure in December 1974, and was buried in the SAS section at St Martin’s Church.

A group of 17 people travelled from as far as Yorkshire and Nottingham to lay a wreath and attend a short service. James was an athletic man, according to Albert Hooker BEM, who was part of the same Parachute Regiment in Aldershot.

“We came here a few years ago and the first grave we saw was his,” he said.

“He was a young, very fit lad and a great friend. He died too soon.”

Another member, Roy Mason, died 18 months ago and his widow Jesse came to the service wearing his medal.

Les Clarkstone said the group regularly paid their respects, while his colleagues also praised the current armed forces.

Colleague Harry Greenhaugh said: “The young guys out there are doing a fantastic job and thoroughly deserve our support.”