Veteran In Plea For Help To Find The Man Who Saved His Life

A former fusilier has launched an appeal for help to find the man who saved his life while he was serving in the Army.

Kevin Roden lost contact with Lance Corporal Andrew Leather, known as 'Bootlace' after they served together in the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers between 1977 and 1981.

Kevin said:

"We all watched each other's backs, but he saved our lives as we were to put trust in Andrew and to take orders from him"

The two friends served together in Germany, as well as on tours of Northern Ireland, but the two have only met up once since.

"Andrew demobbed before me and was working as a bus driver in London," he said, "he is originally from South London, around Streatham, Clapham, Forrest Hill or Crystal Palace, but I'm not sure where exactly".

The two met again when Kevin came home on leave with a friend, Alan Purchase: 

"I was to stay with Alan in Streatham from Germany, and the three of us to meet up at Andrew's bus garage. I didn't have enough money for petrol to drive back, so Andrew borrowed me the money.  But I also demobbed not long after and lost all contact details".

Kevin has since then visited the bus garage where Andrew used to work, only to find out that he had left without giving any indications of where he was going.

That has not deterred the 57-year-old, however, and he has managed to discover that Andrew now lives in the Tiverton area through their ex-regiment liaison officer but hasn't been able to get a full address due to privacy reasons.

Through some contacts at the Tiverton Museum, Kevin has also found a Tiverton resident called Ann Leather, who he thinks could be Andrew's wife.

"I would love to able to find him, I'd like to repay him back and to thank him for his help!"

Kevin, who now lives in Liverpool, is asking for help from anyone who might have more details about his friend.