Town unites to remember soldier killed in Afghanistan

Published on Wednesday 23 December 2009 08:59

A TOWN united in mourning yesterday to pay its respects to a city-based soldier killed in Afghanistan.

More than 100 people in Morley, West Yorkshire, braved biting temperatures to attend a remembrance service for Lance Corporal David Kirkness, who was killed on 15 December.

The 24-year-old soldier was killed along with Rifleman James Brown, 18, both of the Capital-based 3rd Battalion The Rifles by suicide bombers in Helmand province.

Many people who attended the service at Morley's war memorial in L/Cpl Kirkness's home town wiped away tears as they offered prayers and sang hymns for the soldier.

The act of remembrance had been timed to conclude at exactly noon – the time the body of the young soldier was due to return to the UK.

Opening the ceremony, Reverend Tony Lee offered a prayer for both the soldiers and to the family of L/Cpl Kirkness.

He said: "David, we think especially today of his parents Chris and Margaret as they receive him, at RAF Lyneham, home.

"We pray for his brother Christopher, for his friend and partner Mel, and for Brooke, the child also he leaves behind."