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Thousands meet soldiers' hearses Royal respects at Wootton Basset
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral cortege carrying the bodies of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan has passed through the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. 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.
Thousands of people met the hearses in silence while a single bell tolled as they passed by. Their visit comes after a funeral cortege passed through the town for two UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Mourners threw bouquets of flowers and crying could be heard from the crowd. 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'
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit Wootton Bassett later to thank the local community for their support for the armed forces.
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 later 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. 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 SanginThe 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