A HEARTBROKEN mum dabbed away tears yesterday at an emotional ceremony to honour the memory of her fallen son – killed by a Taliban bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Margaret Charlesworth’s 20-year-old son Private Anton Frampton of 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, died alongside five colleagues on March 6.

The former Royds Hall High School pupil has been honoured with a special bench complete with plaque, which was placed yesterday in its garden.

The ceremony had a military flavour and was attended by Colin Atkinson, Huddersfield’s poppy appeal honorary organiser and McCauley Atherton of Huddersfield’s Army Cadets.

Nigel Davies, a bugler with Royal British Legion and Huddersfield Veterans played the Last Post and Reveille interspersed with an impeccably observed two minutes silence.

Mrs Charlesworth was invited to sit on the bench but declined saying she would find that too emotional.

Click on the link below to view images from the ceremony

Related content

Earlier in the day she had visited the Longwood war memorial to which has been added her son’s name.

She said: "It’s been a mix of emotions but still very sad. No parent should have to see their child’s name on a war memorial.

"The Royal British Legion organised it along with the council I expect. It was very nicely done and it’s right that the names should be on. I was proud but very moved at the same time.

"And when the school contacted me to tell me about the bench being dedicated to Anton I was very moved.

"I don’t know where Anton’s passion for the Army came from but he certainly excelled at it.

"I’ve spoken to members of his battalion and they told me what a character he was and also what a damn fine soldier."

Headteacher Melanie Williams said: "It’s been a very special day for us. As a former war hospital we always mark this weekend as a very solemn time in the year.

"We wanted to celebrate Anton, being a former student and we made a collection at the time so other students can remember him.

"He left here before I joined in 2007 but I’ve been told by colleagues what a popular student he was."

SCHOOL children at a Scissett school heard from a serviceman who lost both legs in action.

Pupils at Scissett Middle School met Army, Navy and RAF officials to commemorate the Armed Forces in the build up to Remembrance Sunday.

Lee Midgley, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, lost both his legs whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010.

He spoke to the children about his service and held a question and answer session with the pupils as part of a Gifted and Talented Project in Citizenship.

Five pupils, Lewis Crossland, Hannah Stell, Chelsea Gault, Shania Gault and Jake Hodgson planted a memorial garden created from Poppy Appeal crosses, which had been personalised by pupils within the school as part of their citizenship lesson.

The pupils presented the Memorial Garden to their guests, who talked to all pupils in the school about the Poppy Appeal and how their fundraising helps millions of people affected by conflict each year.

A DUNKIRK veteran was among the guests at a village’s memorial to war victims.

Residents from the Birdsedge region gathered to remember those who lost their lives defending the country.

They were joined by the village’s last surviving World War Two veteran, Harry Wibley, 94, pictured right.

Mr Wibley served in the Black Watch regiment and went on to join the Highland Light Infantry serving in North Africa and Italy.

Mr Wibley, whose name is on the World War Two Role of Honour in the Village Hall, stood throughout the ceremony that was overseen by dignitaries including Tim Hare, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr David Ridgway, and members of the Royal British Legion.

Holmfirth musician Alexander Bray played The Last Post and children from Birdsedge, Cumberworth and Upper Denby first schools played a large part in the service, singing and laying crosses remembering individual soldiers from the region.

STUDENTS at Rastrick High School took part in a Remembrance service.

Students observed two minutes’ silence at school yesterday (Friday) before Bethan Plant and Eleanor Readshaw-Senior played The Last Post on the bugle.

They took time to remember the 32 boys of Rastrick Grammar School who lost their lives between 1914 and 1918 and the 18 former students who died during the Second World War.

They also remembered the members of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment who have just returned from a tour of Afghanistan.

Head boy Louis Frear and head girl Davina Collins spoke during the service.

Representatives of each year group spoke. They were Year 7 Lauren Riley, Year 8 Adam Watson, Year 9 Ellie Parry, Year 10 Ben Harris and Year 11 Adam Aslam.