Shropshire airman Brent McCarthy's family leads Remembrance tributes
A cuddly teddy made from soldier's camouflage kit served as a poignant reminder of war losses at a Remembrance Sunday parade in Telford.
The teddy was carried by the two-year-old nephew of Corporal Brent McCarthy at a service in Oakengates.
Corporal McCarthy, who served with the RAF police, was killed by a rogue Afghan policeman while on duty in Helmand Province in May last year.
Brenty Bear was made from Corporal McCarthy's uniform and was the treasured possession of his nephew Kyron at the service.
Corporal McCarthy's sister, Jodie, laid a wreath in his memory at the gates of Hartshill Park during the service.
Ms McCarthy was also accompanied by her father John and daughter Mia-Jay, eight, although her mother Sarah did not feel able to go because it was too distressing.
Mrs McCarthy said: "I couldn't go - I am going to his grave today instead. But the family thought it was a lovely service."
She said Kyron's bear, made from her son's uniform, carries the phrase: "Make me proud, love from Brent" on its feet.
She said her daughter Jodie, 31, who laid her wreath in memory of Corporal McCarthy, had now joined the Royal British Legion to help it raise money to support service personnel and their families.
The service was organised by Oakengates Royal British Legion, Telford's newest RBL branch.
The branch also organised a service at 11am this morning, for Armistice Day, at the Asda supermarket in Donnington.
Corporal McCarthy, 25, from Priorslee in Telford, was shot dead by rogue Afghan policeman in Helmand Province in May last year.
An inquest into his death in Oxford last week found that he had been unlawfully killed.
Thousands of people lined the streets of towns and villages in Shropshire and Mid Wales to watch parades and observe two minutes' silence at 11am yesterday.
Church services were held to remember those who gave their lives, and marching bands and members of military associations, scouts and guides all took part.
Services were taking place today on Remembrance Day. In Shrewsbury, British Legion representatives were joining mayor Jon Tandy in the Square to show their respects.
Shropshire Council staff and councillors were gathering outside Shirehall to pay their respects. They were being joined by guests including Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Col Edmund Thewles OBE DL, Honorary Alderman of the County, and representatives from the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion.
See also:
Shropshire pays its respects on Remembrance Sunday
Silence falls for Armistice Day
