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 on ceremonial occasions by Major David O'Driscoll, a former member of the Green Howards, who died in April 2000.

His widow, Rosemary, has now presented the sword to the regimental museum in Richmond.

Mrs O'Driscoll travelled from her home in northern Cyprus to make the presentation, obtaining special permission from British Airways to take the weapon on a scheduled flight.

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

He took the sword 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, 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.

After medical care he fought through Belgium and Germany and in September 1945 Maj O'Driscoll was made the mayor of Helmstedt in Germany.

At the end of the war Maj O'Driscoll travelled to Austria, Germany, Malaya, Mauritius and Jamaica.

Maj O'Driscoll 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 their 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."