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Soldiers' cortege passes through Thousands meet soldiers' hearses
(19 minutes later)
The funeral cortege carrying the bodies of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan has passed through the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.The funeral cortege carrying the bodies of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan has passed through the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.
Thousands of people gathered in the town met the hearses in silence while a single bell tolled as they passed by.Thousands of people gathered in the town met the hearses in silence while a single bell tolled as they passed by.
Mourners threw bouquets of flowers and crying could be heard from the crowd.Mourners threw bouquets of flowers and crying could be heard from the crowd.
L/Cpl Daniel Cooper, 21, of Hereford, and Rifleman Peter Aldridge, 19, from Folkestone, were killed in two separate explosions in Helmand Province.L/Cpl Daniel Cooper, 21, of Hereford, and Rifleman Peter Aldridge, 19, from Folkestone, were killed in two separate explosions in Helmand Province.
The men's bodies were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire earlier. Their deaths bring the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 251.The men's bodies were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire earlier. Their deaths bring the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 251.
'Sadly missed'
Wootton Bassett's mayor, councillor Steve Bucknell, told BBC News: "Yes there is sorrow, but there is also a great deal of pride as well. As often is the case in Wootton Bassett, pride and sorrow are mixed so closely together."
L/Cpl Cooper, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed on 24 January as he tried to clear a path south of the Sangin district in northern Helmand.L/Cpl Cooper, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed on 24 January as he tried to clear a path south of the Sangin district in northern Helmand.
His death came two days after Rifleman Peter Aldridge, of A Company 4 Rifles, was killed. He died on 22 January while on foot patrol with 3 Rifles Battle Group, also near Sangin.His death came two days after Rifleman Peter Aldridge, of A Company 4 Rifles, was killed. He died on 22 January while on foot patrol with 3 Rifles Battle Group, also near Sangin.
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Rifleman Aldridge's parents, from Kent, spoke of their pride for their son - who was on his first tour of duty - saying he "died a hero".Rifleman Aldridge's parents, from Kent, spoke of their pride for their son - who was on his first tour of duty - saying he "died a hero".
"Peter said, 'If I'm going to die, I want to die a soldier.'"Peter said, 'If I'm going to die, I want to die a soldier.'
"He believed in the Army and was proud of his job and we are so proud of you Peter," they said in a statement."He believed in the Army and was proud of his job and we are so proud of you Peter," they said in a statement.
His commanding officer, Lt Col Rupert Jones, said he was a "natural leader" in his platoon.His commanding officer, Lt Col Rupert Jones, said he was a "natural leader" in his platoon.
'Sadly missed'
The soldiers had been providing security for the local population in Sangin when they were killed.The soldiers had been providing security for the local population in Sangin when they were killed.
L/Cpl Cooper went to Whitecross High School before joining the Army and deploying to Afghanistan in October last year.L/Cpl Cooper went to Whitecross High School before joining the Army and deploying to Afghanistan in October last year.
Lt Col Nick Kitson described the 21-year-old as "the consummate soldier, the complete package; fit, bright and dedicated to his work".Lt Col Nick Kitson described the 21-year-old as "the consummate soldier, the complete package; fit, bright and dedicated to his work".
The soldier's parents, Karl and Caroline Cooper, said he was a "caring son, brother and partner" who would be "sadly missed".The soldier's parents, Karl and Caroline Cooper, said he was a "caring son, brother and partner" who would be "sadly missed".
They added: "Daniel, we were proud to be your parents from the day you were born."They added: "Daniel, we were proud to be your parents from the day you were born."