Famlies united for anniversary of soldiers' deaths

By Web Reporter

THE parents of a Harlow soldier killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan are to mark the first anniversary of his death with an emotional trip to Ben Nevis to see his comrade's ashes scattered.

Private Robert Foster (19), pictured right, died alongside Private John Thrumble (21), from Chelmsford, and Private Aaron McClure (19), from Ipswich, when a US plane bombed their position during fighting on August 23 last year. The incident is currently subject of a military investigation.

John and Lisa Foster, of Great Plumtree, Harlow, will walk to the summit of the Scottish landmark on Saturday (August 23) to support Mr Thrumble's parents, Steve and Pearl.

Mr McClure's family will also be making the trip, as will about 30 soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in which all three men served.

Mr Foster said all the families had become close during the past year. "We all said we were going to be together for the anniversary. We thought it was quite important because we are going to be together in this forever more.

"We are also running away ourselves to a certain degree. We felt like we should be in Harlow for the anniversary because our family and friends and everyone have been so good to us, but we knew we had to deal with this in the best way we could and when Steve said about scattering the ashes on the 23rd we said 'we will be there for you'."

Mr Foster said the location was chosen by John Thrumble's family because he was always active and liked climbing.

Robert Foster's friends will be marking the anniversary in Harlow by donning memorial T-shirts and gathering at a bench outside his former primary school, in Ward Hatch, on Saturday to pay their respects.