It’s a moving tribute in more ways than one.
Meltham soldier Tom Wroe, killed on active service in Afghanistan two years ago, has a new memorial – on the front of his dad’s truck.
Dad Mick’s employer The Pink Link in Oakes agreed to have Tom’s name emblazoned on the cab, above a poignant single poppy attached to the radiator grill.
Proud Mick, a former soldier himself, said: “It’s another way to remember our Tom and keep his name alive. He’s with me every time I get into the cab.”
Mick, a lorry driver since leaving the army in 2006, is in his second spell with The Pink Link and makes deliveries around Bradford and Shipley.
He approached the firm’s managing director Richard Allen and was delighted when the words: “Dedicated to Tom Wroe” appeared a few days later.
The firm’s pink livery always turns heads and Mick said: “It takes a real man to drive a pink truck!”
Tom, a private with the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was just 18 when he was gunned down by a rogue Afghan policeman at a checkpoint in Helmand Province in September, 2012.
Hundreds of people turned out for Tom’s funeral. He was buried with full military honours at Helme Church.
Thousands of pounds have since been raised in his memory.
Mick, wife Claire and daughter Demi, 16, celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday, paying a visit to Tom’s grave.
Mick and Claire, 41, will attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London next month to mark the contribution of the 100,000 military personnel and civilians who served in Afghanistan from 2001.
The Ministry of Defence has invited the next of kin of the 453 soldiers who died but only two people are allowed to attend due to the restricted 2,000 capacity.
Mick and Claire would have liked Demi to go with them and there has been anger from some bereaved parents who have been denied a place.
Next of kin means priority goes to spouses or partners before parents and brothers and sisters.
Political leaders and dignitaries will make up most of the congregation for the service on March 13, two days before Mothering Sunday.
