A mother said she is “overwhelmed and blown away” that her soldier son will be immortalised in a mural outside his former high school.
It is now 16 years since Private Aaron McClure died, aged 19. However, his memory and his sacrifice have certainly not been forgotten.
Aaron was serving in Afghanistan in 2007 when he and two other young recruits from the British Army’s 1st Battalion were killed in a 'friendly fire' American bombing in Helmand Province.
The trio, who were all serving in the 7 Platoon B (Suffolk) Company, were under intense fire when a US aircraft that was called to help dropped a bomb on them instead of a Taliban position.
Now, a technicolour mural in tribute to Aaron is set to be created on a wall outside his former school of Westbourne Academy.
His mother, Lorraine McClure, said that it is a “true honour” for her family to have Aaron commemorated in this way.
“It's been 16 years since we lost Aaron,” she said. “I know that as the years go on, everybody's lives move on, and the generations change. So, the fact that they're still remembering him and want to put a lasting tribute up makes me very, very proud.
“It's keeping the memories alive and remembering all our fallen, those who have paid the ultimate price, not just locally but everywhere.
“It’s a true honour for the family to have Aaron’s name continue throughout the years.”
There are other permanent tributes to Aaron to be found around Ipswich.
In 2015, a new development of flats in Whitehouse was named after him. McClure Way off Ulster Avenue is just a stone’s throw away from where Aaron grew up.
“As sad as it has been losing Aaron, it’s those things that help you keep your head up high, to know that he is always remembered,” said Lorraine.
The mural outside Westbourne Academy is expected to be completed over half term, and will be revealed to the community in a grand unveiling ceremony around the time of Remembrance Sunday.
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