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Royal respects at Wootton Basset | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived at Wootton Bassett to thank the local community for their support for the armed forces. | |
Their visit comes after a funeral cortege passed through the town for two UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan. | |
Thousands of people met the hearses in silence as a single bell tolled. | |
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. |
Mourners threw bouquets of flowers and crying could be heard from the crowd as the hearses drove past. | |
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' | 'Sadly missed' |
Wootton Bassett's mayor, councillor Steve Bucknell, said: "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." | Wootton Bassett's mayor, councillor Steve Bucknell, said: "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." |
He welcomed the royal visit and said: "I am sure I speak on behalf of the vast majority of people in the town when I say it is an honour to have the royals in town. | |
The men were providing security for the local population in Sangin | The men were providing security for the local population in Sangin |
"I think it is testament to how important the armed forces are to the Royal Family and what the people of Wootton Bassett have been doing here." | "I think it is testament to how important the armed forces are to the Royal Family and what the people of Wootton Bassett have been doing here." |
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. |
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. |
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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. |
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." |
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Sorrow in Wootton Bassett as tributes are paid to the fallen soldiers |