The town crier of Bromyard is to take to the streets of the town on Thursday 30th July to call people to the funeral of Rifleman William Aldridge. The funeral of the youngest British Military Casualty in Afghanistan is to be laid to rest with full Military honours in the parish church on Friday. Will, from the nearby village of Bredenbury, was killed in an explosion near Forward Operating Base Wishtan, in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 10th July.
Peder Nielsen is preparing a special ‘shout’ telling people about the funeral and reminding them that Bromyard will be closed between 10am and 11am so that local people can pay their respects.
“It is a great honour to be asked to do this,” said Peder, usually more used to less sombre announcements. “The Assistant Town Clerk and the vicar thought it would be an eye-catching way to announce this funeral. We need everyone to know about it so we can all pay our respects to one of own young men.”
Dressed in his usual Blue outfit, Peder will be on the streets between 10.30 and noon tomorrow morning, Thursday 29th July. The Funeral of Rifleman William Aldridge will take place on Friday 31st July at St Peter’s Church Bromyard at 11.00 am.
The Funeral Cortege will pass through the town at approximately 10.40 led by the British Legion. It will start at the Cadet’s Depot in Kirkham Gardens, which he was a member of before joining up. It will then pass up the High Street through the Square and along Church Street to the Church.