Skipton to pay its respects at funeral of fallen soldier (From Craven Herald)

Skipton to pay its respects at funeral of fallen soldier

8:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in News

Skipton will come to a halt next week when the town pays its respects to brave soldier Gareth Thursby who was killed in Afghanistan.

Former South Craven School pupil Sgt Thursby, who served in the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was shot dead by a man dressed as an Afghan policeman at a checkpoint in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province last month.

Also killed was comrade Private Thomas Wroe, 18, from Holmfirth.

Sgt Thursby, who died just days before his 30th birthday, will be given a full military funeral next Friday, October 26.

A service will be held at Skipton’s Holy Trinity Church at noon and will be followed by a private cremation at the town’s Waltonwrays where a firing party will discharge five volleys.

Local people are being encouraged to line the route.

Before the service, the cortege will leave Howcrofts funeral directors on Duckett Street at 11.50am and will make its way along Sackville Street, onto Keighley Road, through Caroline Square and into the High Street.

The funeral service will also be relayed outside the church.

Afterwards, the cortege will go down the High Street, through Caroline Square, along Keighley Road and down Carleton Road to Waltonwrays.

“I hope that the people of Craven will turn out in force along the route of the cortege,” said Craven District Council chairman Coun Chris Harbron. “I am sure it will give some comfort to Sergeant Thursby’s family to know that they have our full support at this very difficult time.”

And he added: “He was one of our own. I have written both to his wife and his mother expressing condolences on behalf of Craven residents. We should reflect on the sacrifices made by these two soldiers. And the sacrifices that other members of Her Majesty’s Forces continue to make on our behalf.”

Skipton High Street will be closed between 11am and 2pm.