A SILVER sword that has travelled all over the world has finally found a permanent home - less than a mile from where its journey started.

The dress sword was worn in ceremonial occasions by Major David O'Driscoll, a former member of the Green Howards who died two years ago.

His widow Rosemary has now formally presented it to the regimental museum in Richmond for its future safe-keeping.

Mrs O'Driscoll made a long journey from her home in northern Cyprus to make the presentation - and to do so she had to get special permission from British Airways to take a weapon on to a scheduled flight.

David O'Driscoll joined the Green Howards - with the sword - from Sandhurst in December 1939.

It then went with him to the depot in Richmond Barracks - less than a mile from the museum - before he joined the 1st Battalion, which had just returned from Norway in May 1940.

The sword never left the side of the then Second Lieutenant O'Driscoll on active service in the Cape, India, Iraq, Persia and Egypt and Libya.

After taking part in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and of Italy in January 1944, he was severely wounded at the Battle of Anzio - but his sword remained close by, in the baggage lines.

After medical care he fought through Belgium and Germany and in September 1945 the sword was used formally when Captain O'Driscoll was made the mayor of Helmstedt in Germany.

At the end of the war David O'Driscoll and his sword continued their travels -- to Austria, Germany again, Malaya, Mauritius and Jamaica.

He then joined the Royal Brunei Police as an advisor on jungle operations and remained there until he retired to Cyprus.

Museum curator Roger Chapman said: "A dress sword is carried on parade by officers wearing dress uniform, and is one of the proudest possessions.

"Few of them can have had such a long and varied career, and we are delighted that Mrs O'Driscoll, has travelled from her Cyprus home especially to present her husband's sword to the museum."