FUNERAL services for the Huddersfield soldiers killed in Afghanistan are likely to be held early next month.
Army officials are still awaiting confirmation from a coroner that the services can go ahead.
But it is expected the services for Corporal Jake Hartley, 20, of New Mill, Private Daniel Wilford, 21, of Cowlersley, and Private Anton Frampton, 20, of Longwood, will take place early in May.
All three young men were serving in the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment and were killed in Helmand Province last month.
They and three other comrades – Pte Christopher Kershaw, 19, and Pte Daniel Wade, 20, from the Yorkshire Regiment, and Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died when their Warrior armoured vehicle hit a Taliban bomb.
It was the deadliest single enemy attack on UK forces in Afghanistan since 2001.
The troops, who had flown out to Afghanistan on Valentine’s Day as part of an advance party for the Yorkshire Regiment, were repatriated on Tuesday, March 20.
Their bodies were flown home to RAF Brize Norton and then driven through the streets for a moving tribute in the small Oxfordshire town of Carterton.
Thousands lined the roadside, including members of the soldiers’ families, to pay their respects.
The soldiers were then taken to Oxford’s Sir John Radcliffe Hospital.
Inquiries into their deaths have now been started by the Oxfordshire coroner.
A spokesman for the Army said: “We have been told by the coroner that he will be in a position to release the bodies for funerals by the end of the month.
“We hope to confirm shortly that the services can take place early in May.”
At least two of the services for the Huddersfield heroes are expected to be held at St Peter’s Church in the town centre.
The church staged a funeral for another Afghanistan hero, Capt Lisa Jade Head, a bomb disposal expert killed by the Taliban.
Many hundreds packed the church for her service and thousands more lined the streets outside to pay their respects.
