Funeral of Lance Corporal David Kirkness

I attended the service for Lance Corporal David Kirkness in Morley and later at Wakefield Cathedral.

This brave young man, who was taken from us far too quickly, is an inspiration to us all. Tributes at the Cathedral showed his overwhelming bravery and humanity and confirmed all that is good about our Armed Forces and the challenging job they have to do.

I was struck by the number of residents who attended at both Morley and Wakefield and the dignity they brought to the occasion. Both sets of residents burst into spontaneous rounds of applause as the funeral cortege passed and made both services extremely moving and emotional experiences.

Regardless of the political debates that surround the present conflict in Afghanistan, Lance Corporal David Kirkness is a shinning example of someone who cuts through the rhetoric and placed his live on the line to save others - at an horrendous personal cost.

We should all take a moment to reflect on the courage of our Local Hero.