Archbishop honours fallen soldiers

Nine soldiers who did not return from the conflict were honoured with a roll call during yesterday’s York Minster ceremony for the 4th Mechanized Brigade.

The families of those injured or killed during the deployment, between last October and last month, were invited to the service beside hundreds of servicemen and women.

The brigade, based in Catterick, North Yorkshire, was deployed to Helmand as part of the international operation to hand responsibility for security to the Afghan people.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, read a blessing saying: “Go forth into the world of peace, be of good courage, hold fast that which is good.”

The congregation stood in silence for a minute before the Last Post sounded.

Brigade chaplain Richard Hall praised the troops’ “courage, professionalism and trust”.

He said the bomb blast in Afghanistan on Tuesday that claimed the lives of Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint from the Royal Highland Fusiliers and Private Robert Hetherington was a tragic reminder of the risks service personnel facer.

Before the service, Trooper Thomas Collings from Skipton said losing comrades was difficult but such a ceremony helps, adding: “Today’s our way to remember everyone who didn’t come back, who can’t be here today, who served just like I did.”

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