Street name pays tribute to soldier shot in Afghanistan

THE parents of a young soldier killed in Afghanistan have unveiled a tribute to their son at a special ceremony at a new housing development.

Jimmy Major of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards from Cleethorpes was just 18 when he lost his life in November 2009, one of five soldiers to be shot be a rogue Afghan policeman.

His mum and dad, Kim and Adrian, were invited by Linden Homes to unveil a street at the new Hampton Court development in Cleethorpes in Jimmy’s honour.

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James Major Court will ensure the Guardsman’s memory lives on in the town where he grew up, went to school, played football and has now been laid to rest.

Mrs Major said: “This is a fantastic tribute to Jimmy and we are so proud that people will remember and know his name. He grew up in Cleethorpes and had many friends in the town.”

Linden Homes accountant Paul Hooper had a long association with Jimmy and his family. He said: “Jimmy used to play football for the local team I was involved with, and we did some fundraising in his honour some time ago. I’m delighted that Linden Homes has chosen to name a street after Jimmy – it is a wonderful tribute.”

The soldiers were gunned down without warning on November 3, 2009, by an officer known only as Gulbuddin. He had been living with them at an ANP checkpoint in Helmand Province.

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No one knows for certain why Gulbuddin opened fire, but he fled the checkpoint and has never been caught. Some soldiers told an inquest in May that he might have been shot dead in a firefight immediately after the massacre.

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