HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Meltham as teenage soldier Tom Wroe was laid to rest with full military honours.
Mourners, led by Tom's parents Mick and Claire and 14-year-old sister Demi, attended a packed funeral service at St Bartholomew's Church.
It was standing room only in the church and hundreds braved the cold, wind and rain outside to hear the service relayed by loudspeaker.
People broke into spontaneous applause as Tom's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was taken into the church after a solemn procession from his home nearby.
There were tears outside the church as well as inside as mourners heard emotional tributes from dad Mick, 48, also a soldier for 22 years, mum Claire and sister Demi.
Tom, 18, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, died alongside Sgt Gareth Thursby when a rogue Afghan policeman they went to help opened fire. The attack happened at a security checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on September 15.
Mourners heard how Tom was a mature, confident and intelligent young man who had a bright future in the Army.
Click on the link below to see hundreds of people paying their respects outside the church at the funeral on Tom Wroe
Major Malcolm Birkett, officer commanding rear operations group for 3 Yorks, told the congregation Tom, a former student at Honley High School, was destined for great things.
"He was enthusiastic, articulate and highly capable and he had quick wit and sense of humour that made him popular with all his colleagues. He served with pride and will never be forgotten."
The most emotional address came from Demi who described Tom as "my hero, my inspiration, my life" while Mick told of his pride in Tom and all the soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
"Tom has made the ultimate sacrifice and there will be others to follow," said Mick. "Our soldiers need your support. I am not going to go into politics but these boys need to go so you can all sleep safely."
The service was followed by a private burial at Christ Church, Helme.
See tomorrow's Examiner for full report.
