Soldier's name will be added to war memorial (From Ledbury Reporter)

Soldier's name will be added to war memorial

9:40am Friday 5th November 2010 in News

A YOUNG soldier who died in action in Afghanistan will become the first name added to a village war memorial since the Second World War.

The name of William Aldridge, at 18 the youngest soldier to die in Afghanistan, will be added to the war memorial in Bredenbury, near Bromyard.

On Thursday, November 11, the village will hold a special service to mark not only Remembrance Day, but also the addition of the rifleman’s name to the memorial.

Rifleman Aldridge was killed in an explosion on July 10, 2009, while helping casualties from a previous explosion, in which he was also injured.

“It will be a poignant day for the whole community,” said the vicar, Rev Lynn Money.

“It will give extra meaning to Remembrance Day. It’s the first time since the war that this village has had to do this and a village this size everyone knows everyone else and we were all affected by Will’s death.”

Rifleman Aldridge’s mother Lucy Aldridge, said: “William lived in Bredenbury and grew up here and he is a local hero.”

Rifleman Aldridge (known as Will) became an Army cadet with the Rifles Cadet Force in Bromyard, making the rank of corporal and was determined to join the Army.

He signed up on September 9, 2007 and attended the Army Foundation College, Harrogate, completing his infantry training at Catterick. In December 2008, he joined his battalion (2nd Battalion the Rifles) based at Ballykinler, Northern Ireland.

The service, at 10.45am, will also be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Susan Darnley.