A FORMER serviceman is appealing to reconnect with members of his regiment who he believes live in the Stroud area.

Stan Franklin, aged 82, from Leonard Stanley, served in The Life Guards as a helicopter pilot from 1954 to 1967 in countries including Northern Ireland and Malaysia and Borneo.

In the last two years he has attended the funerals of three of his ex-comrades who lived in Gloucestershire, but he did not know they lived in the area until after their deaths.

"They were people I knew very well in the regiment but I had no idea they were living relatively local.

"In each case the family were pleased that a representative of the Regiment had attended the funeral and each thought their relative would have welcomed a visit in their later years.

"Unfortunately for various reasons people lose contact with their former comrades so I am hoping to organise a social event in this area to re-establlsh contact with them."

Mr Franklin joined The Life Guards at the age of 20 in 1954.

His career in the armed services included 18 months in Northern Ireland and three years serving in the far east.

He was close friends with a serviceman called John Steward in the regiment, who he believes lives in Gloucester.

Anybody who can help Mr Franklin reconnect with his comrades, or who can help organise a social event, can contact him on 01453-824503 or e-mail stannettef@hotmail.co.uk.