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Rocket plan for Leeds hero soldier
A heroic Leeds soldier's ashes are to be sent skywards in a rocket over Morley Town Hall on the first anniversary of his death.
Mum Maggie Kirkness said her son David's ashes will go up in the finale to a firework display and fundraising event she plans in Morley on December 15.
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She said: "The last firework will be David. He wanted some of his ashes putting in a firework. He said to me 'If anything happens to me I want to be a firework over Morley Town Hall.' He was so much fun and that's typical of his sense of humour.
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"I don't know how I will feel on the day, but I can't be any prouder of him."
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Maggie, 44, of Morley, said she kept some of her son's ashes back for the plan after the rest were interred at Crigglestone Cemetery in Wakefield in July.
She has organised a string of fundraising events in recent months and has raised more than 7,000 for charities Help for Heroes and Care for Casualties.
Maggie is planning the firework display from 6pm on December 15 to raise more cash and thank the people of Morley and Hall Green, Wakefield – where David was born – for their support.
Lance Corporal Kirkness, 24, and Rifleman James Brown, 18, from Kent, died while preventing carnage at a marketplace in Afghanistan last December.
An inquest heard the soldiers, both of 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 Rifles), were guarding a main road to protect a convoy when a motorcyclist approached their checkpoint.
There was an explosion after the two soldiers laid hands on him.
L/Cpl Kirkness's daughter Brooke was just three years old when he died.
He will be among fallen soldiers remembered at Leeds City Council's Festival of Remembrance, to be held at Morley Town Hall from 7.30pm on Friday November 12.
The Bishop of Leeds, The Right Reverend John Packer, will join British Legion members and L/Cpl Kirkness's former comrades.
Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, will light a candle in remembrance of those who have died in conflict, to signal the start of the festival, before giving a reading.
Coun Terry Grayshon, Festival of Remembrance committee chairman, said: "Each year Morley Town Hall hosts the city's annual Festival of Remembrance. This year it will be all the more poignant as we will be remembering, amongst others, Morley soldier Lance Corporal David Kirkness.
"Following David's death along with his colleague Rifleman James Brown, the town of Morley paid respects and supported the Kirkness family to the best of our ability. This year's festival will remember Lance Corporal Kirkness and all those who have fallen in conflict; we are privileged to be joined by a number of David's colleagues."
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor James McKenna, will also give a reading, together with Mayor of Morley, Paul Cook.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
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