Mourners Pay Tribute To Solider Killed In Afghanistan

THE funeral of a young soldier killed in Afghanistan took place in Burwell today (Friday). Hundreds of the friends and family of Private Robert Hayes gathered at St Mary s Church at 1pm to pay their respects to the Royal Anglian soldier, with the service also rela

THE funeral of a young soldier killed in Afghanistan took place in Burwell today (Friday).

Hundreds of the friends and family of Private Robert Hayes gathered at St Mary's Church at 1pm to pay their respects to the Royal Anglian soldier, with the service also relayed outside the church to accommodate those unable to get in.

Following the service, the funeral cortege travelled through the village before stopping at the village cemetery.

Pte Hayes was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol with colleagues in the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand Province on January 3, becoming the first British serviceman to be killed in 2010.

Pte Hayes, who was a pupil at Burwell Village College, fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining the army and colleagues said he had made a 'real difference' in his short time with the regiment.

The 19-year-old was also a keen rugby player, regularly turning out for Newmarket Rugby Club before he left to join the army in 2009. He was repatriated to the UK on January 11.