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SAS man Fred Marafono remembered at Hereford Cathedral | SAS man Fred Marafono remembered at Hereford Cathedral |
(10 days later) | |
Hundreds of people from across the world have attended a memorial service paying tribute to a former SAS member. | Hundreds of people from across the world have attended a memorial service paying tribute to a former SAS member. |
Fred Marafono was one of the first Fijians to join the elite regiment, fighting in places such as Borneo and the Falklands during 21 years' service. | Fred Marafono was one of the first Fijians to join the elite regiment, fighting in places such as Borneo and the Falklands during 21 years' service. |
Mr Marafono, who previously served the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, died last month aged 72. | Mr Marafono, who previously served the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, died last month aged 72. |
Dr Hamish Ross, who co-authored a book with him, said: "He certainly was a lion-hearted warrior." | Dr Hamish Ross, who co-authored a book with him, said: "He certainly was a lion-hearted warrior." |
"In the SAS he had a reputation for volunteering for as many missions as he could and as often as possible. | "In the SAS he had a reputation for volunteering for as many missions as he could and as often as possible. |
"He was in a league by himself and he introduced skills into the service that they adopted." | "He was in a league by himself and he introduced skills into the service that they adopted." |
'Affection and respect' | 'Affection and respect' |
Mr Marafono was appointed an MBE in 1983 and selected by SAS founder David Stirling to join him in KAS, a new private security firm. | Mr Marafono was appointed an MBE in 1983 and selected by SAS founder David Stirling to join him in KAS, a new private security firm. |
He later spent about 20 years in Sierra Leone and published a book about his life with Dr Ross entitled From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars in 2011. | He later spent about 20 years in Sierra Leone and published a book about his life with Dr Ross entitled From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars in 2011. |
Dr Ross said: "It's remarkable the affection and respect all those who served with him had for him." | Dr Ross said: "It's remarkable the affection and respect all those who served with him had for him." |
Mr Marafono returned to Hereford a few years ago to live with his family, but Dr Ross said he was still working in Central America at the age of 70. | Mr Marafono returned to Hereford a few years ago to live with his family, but Dr Ross said he was still working in Central America at the age of 70. |
He added: "Although he was at home in Hereford when he died, in a sense he never really retired. | He added: "Although he was at home in Hereford when he died, in a sense he never really retired. |
"Fred died at the age of 72. He spent, I reckon, virtually his entire adult life practising his superb military skills." |
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