Richard wins famed green beret

PROUD . . . Richard in his Royal Marines uniform

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Teenager Richard Mumford can now don the famous Marines green beret after passing his 32-week training course.

As part of the course Richard (19), of Torwood Road, Chadderton, had to complete four commando tests over consecutive days. They included a nine-mile speed march, a six-mile endurance course, an assault course and a 30-mile march.

But the gruelling tests proved no match for the former North Chadderton School pupil.

He is now set to continue his training, moving from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, Devon, to RM Condor in Arbroath, Scotland. He will later take part in a survival course in Norway.

Proud mum Lorraine (50) said: “Richard completed a two-year pre-uniform services course at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton.

“He was originally looking into becoming a police officer but decided to join the Royal Marines instead. He is the first in the family to join the armed forces and both myself, husband Ian and Richard’s brother David (17) went to his passing out parade.

“We were very proud to see him and Richard was very chuffed, it is a big step.”