Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington funeral

Photo: MOD

Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington

The funeral of 22-year old Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington will take place on Thursday 26 January at 12.30pm at All Saints and Martyrs Church, Middleton.

L/Cpl Hetherington of the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died on Monday 2 January following an ‘incident’ in Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Iraq. The incident is ‘currently under investigation’, although it is understood this was not as a result of enemy activity. He had recently become a father.

The funeral at 12.30pm on 26 January will be followed by the burial at Boarshaw Cemetery, Middleton Road, Middleton. The wake will be held at Woodside Working Men’s Club, Higher Wood Street, Middleton.

Soldiers attending the funeral have been asked to wear their No.2 Service dress, while members of the public have been asked to wear reds and blacks, the colours of the poppy.

On Saturday 21 January, a march and motorbike ride took place in memory of L/Cpl Hetherington. The motorbike ride, organised by MCC Rigby’s Guardians, began at 12noon and traveled to Middleton Arena where a condolence book has been opened.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107654/hundreds-turn-out-to-honour-lance-corporal-scott-hetherington

At the same time (12noon), Scott Hetherington’s cousin Aaron arranged for a march to take place from Middleton Memorial Gardens. An ex-military speaker gave a speech at 12.10, before members of Scott’s family said a few words. The group then observed a minute’s silence before making their way to the Middleton Arena.

Stewards guided the march to the Arena, where they were joined the bikers and the fusilier’s band in signing the book of condolence. 

Aaron said: “We set up this walk for people that want to pay their respects but don’t have bikes to join in the event by Rigby’s Guardians.

“I was very close to Scott. I grew up with him and spoke to him every day. He was annoying, but funny-annoying. You just couldn’t be mad at him.

“Someone asked me the other day what Scott loved. He loved the army and talking about the army."

An online appeal has raised over £6,000 for Scott’s family, including his baby daughter.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/In-memory-of-Scott-heatherington

On 11 January, Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to L/Cpl Hetherington during Prime Minister’s Questions, saying: “From everything I have seen and read about Lance Corporal Hetherington, he was a very fine young man. He delighted in being in the armed forces, and we are proud that such a fine young man was in our armed forces.”