Village's memorial for soldier

From the archive, first published Tuesday 21st Feb 2006.

A Bradford soldier killed in Iraq is to be remembered in his home village with a special memorial service.

Sergeant Christian Hickey's name has already been added to the East Bierley war memorial.

His parents Patrick and Pauline Hickey, who live in the village, will be attending the dedication next month alongside their son's former colleagues in the Coldstream Guards.

Sgt Hickey died in Basra after a roadside bomb attack in October. He was 30 and was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.

His death came just days before he was due to return home from his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Sgt Hickey was married for two years to his wife Gemma. He was 17 when he joined up.

The act of dedication and remembrance will take place at noon on Tuesday, March 7.

As well as the Hickey family and Coldstream Guards, it will be attended by the Mayor of Kirklees, local councillors, MP Mike Wood and the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

Councillor Andrew Palfreeman has organised the dedication.

He said: "The Coldstream Guards are coming up on the morning from Aldershot and they will be marching from East Bierley cricket club.

"They will parade through the village to the cenotaph gardens where a short dedication will take place."

The Coldstream Guards will address the service and the Last Post will be played by the battalion's buglar and wreaths will be laid.

A private reception will be held at the cricket club following the service.

Part of South View Road will be closed on the day.

"People from the village have been calling for Sgt Hickey's name to be remembered this way since his death," said Coun Palfreeman.

Sgt Hickey's funeral took place in Cleckheaton with full military honours.

The service at St Luke's Church was attended by hundreds of people, followed by a burial at Cleckheaton New Cemetery.

The war memorial itself contains the names of men killed during the First World War. Sgt Hickey's name is the first to be added in recent years.

Prior to the inscription the war memorial was cleaned in preparation.

A children's charity has been set up in honour of Sgt Hickey and another young Coldstream Guard, Anthony Wakefield.

Former guardsman Franco Gasparotti, of Bradford, who was severely injured in Northern Ireland, is behind Coldstream Kids.

The foundation will support the children of Coldstreamers as a lasting memorial.

For further information log on to www.coldstreamers.co.uk.

Archive Home