Rifleman's name added to memorial

Helena Tym (centre) called the plaque an honour.

A soldier who was killed in an explosion while on patrol in southern Afghanistan has had his name added to a Berkshire war memorial.

Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, from Reading, died after the blast near Gereshk in Helmand province on 2 June.

His family attended a Remembrance Sunday memorial in Caversham where the 19-year-old's name was unveiled on a new plaque for Afghanistan casualties.

Helena Tym, Rifleman Thatcher's mother, said it was "a real honour" to see it.

Friends and family attended the service at Christchurch Meadows, Caversham, where the 2nd Battalion The Rifles soldier was honoured with other servicemen who have died in war.

His name is this first to be inscribed on a plaque for Afghanistan casualties, which has the start date 2001.

His mother said: "Its a real honour to have his name on the plaque.

"It's very sad when you see it carved in stone because its so final, but it's definitely an honour.

"So many people have come, so many of his friends; it has been very, very moving."

Rifleman Thatcher's friends said he was was "always there for people"

Rifleman Thatcher's brother Steely, 18, said it was a privilege to see his brother's name included on the memorial.

He added: "It means a lot to see so many people here."

Remembrance Sunday events were held across Berkshire where hundreds of people turned out to hold a two-minute silence to the fallen servicemen of war.

Wreaths were also laid in Bracknell, Berkshire, at the war memorial in the town centre; and in Windsor, the mayor, councillor Jesse Grey, led the Act of Remembrance at the war memorial in the High Street.

Meanwhile the main remembrance parade in Reading was held at the TA Centre in Brock Barracks.