Hundreds line streets as town comes to a halt to pay tribute to fallen soldier

Private Daniel Wade, 20, of 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, was killed on March 6 beside Private Anthony Frampton, 20, Private Christopher Kershaw, 19, Corporal Jake Hartley, 20, and Private Daniel Wilford, 21, all also of 3 Yorks, and Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The soldiers, who had been in Afghanistan for only a few weeks, were killed when their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a massive improvised explosive device about 25 miles north of the capital of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah.

Hundreds lined the streets of Pte Wade’s hometown of Warrington and applause rang out in tribute as the funeral cars slowly made their way to St Elphin’s Church. The soldier’s coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried into the church by colleagues from his unit. Local Royal British Legion members formed a guard of honour.

The mourners were led by Pte Wade’s mother, Lisa, who was wearing her son’s blue army-issue jacket and carrying his photograph in a frame, beside his sister Stacey and other relatives. Fiancée, Emma Hickman, who is pregnant with their daughter Lexie, followed close behind.