IT was his final message to his mum.
And there were tears as Margaret Charlesworth read her son Private Anton Frampton’s final letter to more than 1,000 mourners at his funeral in Huddersfield Parish Church yesterday.
The Longwood soldier, who was one of six killed in a blast in Afghanistan in March , was described as “a platoon legend” in a moving ceremony.
Mourners inside and outside the church listened intently as Mrs Charlesworth – who had arrived at the funeral alongside her son’s coffin – read the letter, which was only to be opened in the event of his death.
She read: “Hi mum, I just want to thank you for everything you have ever done for me. You are the best mum in the world!!!
“If every child had a mum like you the world would be a better place.
“Even though I’m not around, I will always be around to keep you safe and one day, we will be back together.
“And another thing you have to stop smoking, hahaha!!!
“Me and grandma are up here watching over you, I love you mum.
“Stay strong. Love Anton.”
Mrs Charlesworth said after reading the letter: “Anton, your duty on this Earth is now done.
“Stand easy, my beautiful boy.”
The Parish Church was filled with hundreds, who wore bright colours as a tribute to the fallen soldier.
Image gallery from the service on the next page.
And the streets near Huddersfield Parish Church were lined with around 1,000 people who had wished to pay their respects to the 20-year-old soldier, including ex-servicemen and women.
The crowds applauded as the hearse pulled up outside the church.
Within the hearse, was a pair of stripy boxer shorts and a pair of his Tom’s shoes.
The underwear was a tribute to Pte Frampton’s “pants dance”, which Major Malcolm Birkett, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment said was famous amongst his comrades.
The coffin was draped in a Union Flag and carried into the church by troops from Rear Operations, the 3 Yorks.
Emelie Sande’s Next To Me was played as friends and family entered the church and speakers broadcast the service to hundreds in St Peter’s Gardens.
Maj Birkett gave the eulogy and said: “Anton was a very positive, charismatic young man whose smile could light up a room.
“He epitomised everything right about the modern infantryman – courageous, loyal, hard-working, an infantryman to the end.
“He was a courageous soldier who will be sorely missed by his friends and family.”
He said that the soldier, known to his friends as “Anton, Framps and even Framp Dogg” had been keen to try everything in the army and always told his superiors, “I can do that”.
Maj Birkett also said that Pte Frampton’s platoon Sergeant had described him as “a platoon legend, who really knew his stuff”.
He had also won The Soldier’s Soldier award after being nominated by his fellow servicemen.
Pte Frampton, who had been in Afghanistan for only a few weeks, was killed when his Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a massive improvised explosive device about 25 miles north of the capital of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah.
Also killed in the attack were Corporal Jake Hartley, 20, of New Mill, Private Christopher Kershaw, 19, Private Daniel Wade, 20, and Private Daniel Wilford, 21, of Cowlersley, all also of 3 Yorks, and Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.
The Rev Andrew Martlew, the officiating chaplain for the 4 Yorks regiment said: “We should remember him not just as a Yorkshire warrior and a son, a brother and a friend but also as a “real gem.”
“Now we have brought him here, back to his roots – to the heart of this Huddersfield community.”
Music played a large part of the funeral with, Puff Daddy’s I’ll Be Missing You played during the time of reflection.
Toni Braxton’s Unbreak My Heart, Lady Gaga’s Just Dance, Cher’s Do You Believe In Life After Love? and DJ Fresh’s Hot Right Now were also played at the church and later at Huddersfield Crematorium.
Poems read at the funeral were written by his mum Margaret, and sister Gemma. Maj Birkett also read Russell Makinson’s Six Northern Roses, which was written in memory of the six soldiers.
PRIVATE Anthony Frampton was known as Anton to his family and friends.
The former Royds Hall High School student was an apprentice welder before he decided to join the Army in 2009 at the age of 18.
Pte Frampton, from Longwood, trained at the infantry base in Catterick winning a top award before enlisting in the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.
In January 2010 he completed a tour of duty in the Falklands.
The Taliban blast that killed Pte Frampton, was the deadliest single attack on British forces in Afghanistan since 2001 – the force of it turned the Warrior upside down and blew off its gun turret.
Pte Frampton leaves behind his mother Margaret Charlesworth, father Gary Evans, stepfather Martin Charlesworth, sisters Gemma and Nicola, great-uncle Pat and stepmother Michelle Evans.
A funeral service for another of the Huddersfield soldiers killed in the blast, Private Daniel Wilford, takes place tomorrow (12.30pm) at Huddersfield Parish Church.
