Northern Ireland veteran soldier who had plenty of stories to tell passes away

Rod Lavender, who was originally from Maidstone in Kent, passed away peacefully on Monday at Antrim Area Hospital.

It is hoped members of the Royal British Legion can help to “create a presence” for his funeral.

He had served for 10 years – from January 1965 to June 1975 – with the Queen’s Own Buffs who later became the Queen’s Regiment.

Rod was stationed in Borneo and Hong Kong and also did two tours of Northern Ireland.

It was while stationed in Northern Ireland that he met Margaret McCann, whom he later married in 1969 in Belfast. Together they had two children – Marie and Rodney.

Having signed his own papers to join the Army early Rod left with a full pension due to a back injury he sustained in a mine explosion while in Borneo.

His son-in-law John Campbell said: “After he left the Army, upon birth of my wife and her brother, he came back here to Northern Ireland to live.

“That brought its own difficulty – a former solider with an English accent living in Northern Ireland in the early 70s. But he was steadfast, he made this place his home.”

John added: “He was very proud of his service. He told his war stories with vigour and with passion. He couldn’t wait to roll them out.

“He was fantastic with his hands. He often repaired old woodwork and furniture like new. His dad was a French polisher and a farmer so some skills obviously rubbed off.”

He made an appeal on the RBL Facebook page for members who “would be available to create a presence for my father-in-law’s funeral service”.

Rod, who was a devoted grandfather to Acia, Caila, Katherine and Ciara and a great grandfather, lived at Durnish Road in Antrim.

His funeral service will take place on Monday in St Joseph’s Church, Antrim at 11am followed by cremation at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.

Rod’s family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers if desired to be made payable c/o Bairds of Antrim.