Hereford funeral for SAS Iranian embassy siege soldier

Mel Parry, who was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal, died in Hereford on 21 May

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of an SAS soldier who stormed the Iranian embassy in London during a siege in 1980.

Mel Parry helped save 19 hostages after six terrorists took over the Kensington site.

Married with a daughter, he died in Hereford after a long illness, aged 76.

Members of the public were welcome to attend the funeral at the city's cathedral, which has a stained-glass window in honour of the SAS.

Mr Parry, who died on 21 May, was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his part in ending the siege.

It began on 30 April 1980 when Iranian-Arab gunmen campaigning for the sovereignty of Khuzestan, a province in the south west of the country, took over the site.

A total of 26 people were taken hostage, including a police officer, embassy staff and visitors.

While five were released following police negotiations, on the sixth day a hostage was shot and the SAS were ordered to storm the building.

The soldier's beret and belt were on top of his coffin, which was draped in a Welsh flag

Hundreds of people paid their respects at Hereford Cathedral

The assault was relayed by TV cameras trained on the embassy. Millions watched as all three UK channels interrupted schedules to show the drama.

Mr Parry led three soldiers who crossed the embassy balcony before breaching a window with explosives.

Lt-Gen Sir Graeme Lamb said: "He was in every way a foul-weather friend.

"Fair-weather friends depart when it gets tough. Mel Parry, he'll be there to the end."

Armed police on an adjoining balcony to the Iranian Embassy, when units of the Special Air Service (SAS) helped end the siege

Former colleague Bob Shepherd said he was a "tough individual, but with a big heart".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Last Word, he stated Mr Parry was a character with a "terrific reputation" who "lit up a room".

"If in the future military history is written about the Iranian embassy and the era of the Iranian embassy, Mel should be at the top of the tree," he added.