AN 18-year-old soldier from Bromyard made his final journey back to Britain yesterday, four days after he was killed in Afghanistan.

The body of Rifleman William Aldridge, who died in Helmand on Friday, July 10, was flown on a C17 aircraft to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire for a private ceremony.

His coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried through the market town of Wootton Bassett, where crowds lined the streets to pay their last respects to eight fallen soldiers.

It was the largest procession to pass through the market town since it became an official repatriation station in 2007.

Rifleman Aldridge’s aunt Alison Aldridge was in the crowd, carrying eight roses in tribute to the men.

Ms Aldridge, aged 40, from Bristol, said: “It is extremely sad that his life was taken so swiftly, but I take comfort from the fact that he had two very fulfilling years rather than a lifetime of regrets.

“As a boy he was loving and adventurous. He had a loving, caring mother and he got his strength of character from her. He was a family boy and that’s what the army is all about.

“His ambition was the SAS – and he would have got there. He was mentally prepared. He had affection for people and that’s what drives ambition.

“It’s lovely that so many people are here – young and old. It’s amazing how so many young people here understand and respect what’s going on.”

Rifleman Aldridge, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was trying to reach casualties of an earlier blast when he was killed by a second explosive device.

* A full tribute to Rifleman Aldridge will be paid in tomorrow’s Hereford Times.