Hundreds attend South Yorkshire funeral of TA soldier killed in Afghanistan - VIDEO
A TERRITORIAL Army soldier who was killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan was described as “the epitome of the modern volunteer soldier” at his South Yorkshire funeral today.
Mourners packed All Saints Church in Darton, near Barnsley, to pay their respects to Private Matthew Thornton, from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who died 48 hours before Remembrance Day.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PHOTOS SEE THE STAR TOMORROW.
Pte Thornton, who had re-enlisted in the TA to serve in Afghanistan, was killed in a bomb blast on November 9.
Hundreds of people ringed the churchyard, standing in silence as the coffin was carried through a guard of honour.
His father and mother, Michael and Susan, comforted each other as they followed the coffin, which was draped with a Union Flag and had his Army cap and belt on top.
Dozens of family members followed the them into the small village church.
Inside, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Crowley, commanding officer, 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, said: “For me he was the epitome of the modern volunteer soldier - professional, fit, enthusiastic and ready to party after working hard.”
A keen snowboarder, Pte Thornton joined the Territorial Army in 2004. He left in 2007 but re-enlisted in 2009, volunteering his services for deployment to Afghanistan.
Away from the Amy, he worked for Yorkshire-based company Premdor, manufacturing door and window frames.
Pte Thornton was patrolling with a small group of soldiers when they were caught in an attack involving small arms fire and grenades. As Pte Thornton responded he was caught in a bomb blast and died.
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
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vote for reality
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 12:06 AMYet one more brave lads demise when this as the last government sit in their bunkers sending young men and women to their deaths in an unwinnable war with people detest us. cameron blair and brown have and are still making millions on the backs of our dead soldiers
Testarossa
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 06:50 PMComment removed by moderator
TXBlade
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 04:46 PM#1 - you made this comment yesterday on the Gary Speed story, but this has nothing to do with the story. - To Pte. Thornton's family and friends you have my deepest sympathies and no words can ever console you in this time of grief. As a former solider let me say his brothers in arms appreciate his stepping up to serve and answering the call but grieve with you in this loss. RIP Pte, Thornton
unitedowls
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 04:24 PMDoes anybody know that more service men who served in the Falklands have since committed suicide than died in the conflict and that was number of years ago. 250 died in the conflict and 260 have since committed suicide. It puts into perspective the sad loss of Gary Speed at the weekend. I am sure issues with post traumatic stress syndrome is still an issue to our lads in the forces today.
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