Goodbye to a hero
FAMILY and friends of heroic Wakefield soldier Corporal Matthew Stenton said their final goodbyes as he was laid to rest on Tuesday.
Cpl Stenton was killed rescuing a comrade during an insurgent attack in the Helmand province of Afghanistan last month.
The 23-year-old, a member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, grew up in Thornes and went to Cathedral School. His father Michael, step-mother Gillian and sister Charlotte, 20, moved to Bridlington around seven years ago.
Schoolmates travelled to Catterick Garrison to pay their own tribute to a their friend.
Friend Richard Bradley, 24, of Birch Tree Close, Pinders Heath, said: "It was nice to say goodbye.
"Two of his best friends from his regiment were telling funny stories about him, and it was weird thinking of him in that way - we all remember him from school.
"There were photos of him from how we knew him, all slim when we first joined up, and then as big as a wrestler after being in the army. It makes us proud to think of him as a hero."
Mr Bradley has raised nearly 1,000 for wounded soldiers charity Help for Heroes in Cpl Stenton's memory, and will play a memorial football match each year as a tribute.
More than 300 friends mourners packed into St Martin and St Oswald's Garrison Memorial Church for the 45-minute service.
After an initial spell with the Parachute Regiment Cpl Stenton joined the Royal Dragoon Guards where his sense of humour made him a popular member.
Padre John McGregor told the mourners: "If he was here today, he would still find something funny to say.
"And the family's thoughts are with the bearer party today because Matthew never travels light.
"He took as his motto: the best of the best are the best and he always tried to do his best."
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
