Derry parish prepares for funeral of soldier killed in Afghanisan

The funeral for Coleraine soldier Aaron McCormick who died in an explosion in Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday is to take place tomorrow Saturday Dec 4. He will be buried after a service at St Mary's Parish Church.

The 22-year-old from Macosquin was helping to clear roadside bombs in the Helmand area when he was killed. The Rector, the Reverend Mike Roemmele, who is a former army chaplain, said it had been a long wait for the family but preparations for a full military funeral were under way.

"His family are very proud of him and they appreciate the work done by his family to give him a truly fitting funeral," he said. "His Royal Irish colleagues are helping to prepare a military funeral which is a moving ceremony both bringing him into the church and from the church to the grave."

Mr Roemmele said the McCormick family had been "overwhelmed" by the support they had received. "They have been overwhelmed by the cards and letters. The local community also made a collection for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund."

The rector said Ranger McCormick had always wanted to be a soldier. "He also thought that he might become a teacher after 22 years of military service. He was also a talented musician and played the clarinet."

His mother, Margaret, had just completed an appeal for Christmas boxes to send troops serving in Afghanistan when he was killed. She did so because her son told her some soldiers got nothing while away on tour.

At the time of his death, his colleagues said he was the "epitome of the Irish infantry soldier". Lt Col Colin Weir, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, said: "Ranger Aaron McCormick was the epitome of the Irish infantry soldier - tough, selfless, good-humoured and full of compassion."

The Rt Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, expressed his shock and sorrow at the death of Ranger McCormick,after he visited his parents and family last month..

'Over this past weekend the community has shared in many solemn acts of Remembrance for those who have served their country sacrificially, and in particular for those who have given their life in time of war. To hear news of Ranger Aaron McCormick's death in Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday brings home the enormity of the cost borne in such times of loss.'

Bishop Good continued, 'As we shared in Acts of Remembrance on Sunday, we were all acutely aware that for the families of many service personnel, their grief is profoundly personal. The thoughts and prayers of our diocesan family go to Aaron's parents, Leslie and Margaret, to his brother and sisters, to his family circle and his many friends in this time of such enormous loss.'