We will never forget our Marine hero Robbo

Jun 11 2009 by Eryl Crump, North Wales Weekly News

We will never forget our Marine hero Robbo

HUNDREDS of people flocked to the small village of Penmachno on Saturday to pay their last respects to a Royal Marine killed in action.

Lance Corporal Robert Martin Richards was flown to the UK after he was injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month, and later died in hospital.

The 24-year-old’s coffin was taken to St Tudclud’s Church in a horse-drawn hearse, and Marines formed a guard of honour as it was carried inside.

His father Rich led the 400 mourners to hear his commanding officer describe the Marine as “just outstanding”.

Major Jez Stemp said: “Robbo was a massive character and I had the pleasure of serving with him in Afghanistan last year for six months.

“He was the epitome of a Royal Marine commando. Cheerful in the face of adversity and just a really good guy.

“There was nothing he wasn’t prepared to do. Any time he had any down time he was there helping his friends, helping his colleagues and always giving the best service he could to his country.”

The marine’s coffin was draped in a Union flag with a Welsh dragon wreath on top as it was carried into church by fellow Marines.

A video screen and speakers were set up in a nearby field to relay the service to the hundreds of mourners standing outside in the rain.

The church where the service took place had been closed for 12 years, but was specially reopened for the funeral of L/Cpl Richards.

Known to many of his friends by his nickname Rambo, and to his family as Martin, the unmarried Royal Marines commando had been on his second tour in Afghanistan.

He was injured while supporting 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards when his vehicle struck an explosive device.

Medics gave Martin immediate first aid at the scene and evacuated him to medical facilities in Kandahar before being flown back to the UK.

He passed away at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on May 27 with his family at his bedside.

The former pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Llanrwst, was described as a popular and sociable man.

His sister Sarah-Jane said: “In my heart you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you but you didn’t go alone, for part of me went with you the day God took you home.”

Many of his colleagues attended the funeral. One of them said: “It was the least we could do for someone who made us all proud. Robbo will be missed big time and now that he’s been laid to rest we promise he will never be forgotten. He was a true hero.”