HEADSTONE AT LAST FOR SHOOTING VICTIM WAYNE

BOY soldier Wayne Richards has been given a memorial - almost a year after he was shot dead on exercise.

The Ministry of Defence last week finally put a headstone at the grave of Royal Marine cadet Wayne, 17.

He was killed on March 31 last year, a month into a 30-week training course with 780 Troop. Wayne, of Cwmavon, Port Talbot, was shot in the head after live rounds were mixed with blanks. A white marble stone with gold engraving was supposed to have been put up after his funeral last May - but his grieving family were kept waiting.

Stonemasons arrived at Margam Cemetery last week. Last night Wayne's grandmother Marion Richards said: "I go to see Wayne at least once a week and every time I saw the grave without a headstone I was devastated."

Royal Marines spokesman Chris Cullis blamed a "breakdown in communication". He added: "We are deeply sorry that it has taken so long."

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