Memorial services have taken place on both sides of the Atlantic to remember a former Bradford soldier who died on Boxing Day.

Richard Dunne, 55, who grew up in Lidget Green, died in Canada after a car accident on Christmas Eve.

His girlfriend of three years died instantly in the crash and Richard was taken to hospital where he was put on a life support machine.

Richard's brothers, Bob and Barry Dunne, had to make the difficult decision to switch off the father-of-two's life support machine on Christmas Day.

The funeral for the former Princeville School pupil, who was affectionately known as Ricky, was held in Canada at 1pm yesterday and at the exact same time friends and family members in Bradford held a memorial service at St Wilfrid's Church, Lidget Green.

Richard joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps when he was just 18 with his brothers David and Barry.

His brothers dropped out but Richard spent 22 years in service and travelled all around the world. He was one of 12 children, having four sisters and seven brothers.

Richard's brother, David Dunne, 53, of Rooley Lane, said: "We all loved him very much and just wish we could have had more time to get to know him better.

"He was a nice brother to have around when we were little, we used to play together a lot and get into bother together."

The family have lost touch with Richard's two sons, Gareth and Richard, who are in their thirties, and are urging them to get in touch.

Richard's elder sister Eunice Sales, 59, of Parry lane, Laisterdyke said: "We would love for them to get in touch because they are part of the family."

Mrs Sales said her brother had moved to Flin Flon, Canada, three years ago to teach English at a camp for native Canadians. He had met his girlfriend, Deena, out there and the couple had just dropped her son off at school when the accident happened. His car is understood to have hit the back of a road gritter.

Mrs Sales said: "All we know is that he set off in the morning and his car skidded on some black ice and he drove into the back of the gritting wagon."