Line the streets to salute our heroes

ON Wednesday and Thursday, the bodies of two North East Lincolnshire soldiers killed on active service in Afghanistan earlier this month will be laid to rest in their home towns.

The Grimsby Telegraph is asking members of the public to join us in lining the streets on which their hearses will travel, marking their final journey and honouring the men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of duty.

They were gunned down by a 'rogue' Afghan policeman.

Jimmy Major's last journey, will start at his family home in Robson Road at 12.15pm on Wednesday, before moving onto Grimsby Road, up Isaac's Hill, then down St Peter's Avenue.

The service at St Peter's Church will begin at 1pm.

Following the service, Jimmy will be buried at the cemetery near Beacon Hill.

Adrian, Jimmy's father, said: "He will be buried facing Trinity Youth Club, which is fitting as it is where he used to go as a kid.

"All of Jimmy's friends are welcome to come to the funeral and we will be leaving our house at 12.15pm, when we will all finally say farewell to him."

On Thursday, hundreds are expected to line the streets to commemorate the life of "gentle giant" Sgt Matthew Telford.

He will be laid to rest at St James' Church, Grimsby.

The funeral cortege will leave the family home at Scartho's Odin Court at 10.35am, before travelling down Scartho Road accompanied by a police escort, then onto Bargate and Deansgate Bridge before turning right towards the church.

The service, conducted by Rev Canon Michael Hunter, will take place at 11am and members of the public are invited to listen outside via a PA system.

Click here to read about a charity night in memory of Sgt Telford.