Age: 78 

Regiment/length of service: 35 years in 15th/19th Hussars

Medals: British Empire Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct, Meritorious Service Medal

In-Pensioner since: 2001

Born: Tipperary, Ireland

Paddy hails from Tipperary and originally had his heart set on joining the Navy. After discovering he was colour-blind however, he joined the cavalry! The later part of his forces career, Paddy spent recruiting in Durham, Northumberland. He signed up 2 two and a half thousand new recruits from his small one man office and was awarded the BEM by the Queen. "I asked them to bring me a mug if they signed up. I ended up with 1600 mugs in my office." He retired as a Staff Sergeant at 55 and spent the next 12 years as court usher in Chester-le-Street, regularly reminding certain miscreants that they should have joined the army instead.