9:50am Thursday 2nd September 2010
A full military funeral is being arranged for Earby soldier Jordan Bancroft, who was killed in a gun battle in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Bancroft, 25, was shot dead by insurgents on Saturday August 21 as he provided security for a meeting in Helmand, Afghanistan.
His body was flown into RAF Lyneham on Friday and, after a short ceremony, the cortege crawled through Wootton Bassett as his grief-stricken family wept at the side of the road.
His parents Tony and Sheila, brothers Paul 29, Leighton, 23, sister Toni, 33, and girlfriend Lauren O’Hara, had travelled down for the emotional homecoming.
They were joined on the streets of the Wiltshire town by hundreds of relatives, friends, former colleagues, residents, veterans and Royal British Legion members.
Bad weather had delayed the soldier’s final flight home by 24 hours.
The former West Craven Technology College pupil joined the Army, aged 16, in September 2001 and had twice been deployed on tours of Iraq.
He had been due to come home on leave in four weeks’ time.
His commanding officers described him as “the epitome of a Duke of Lancaster’s soldier – diligent, selfless, caring and with a profound sense of duty.”
“He was a true soldier, excelling during his time in Afghanistan – loyal, brave, compassionate and honest, said Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion.
L/Cpl Bancroft was the 332nd British military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001. His name is set to be added to the cenotaph in Sough Park, where Lauren laid a floral tribute.
“What we had was pure and perfect. You will forever be the love of my life,” it said.
A full military funeral is being arranged and is expected to take place at All Saints’ Church, Earby, late next week.
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