December 22, 2011
Family and friends of
Eastbourne soldier Michael Pritchard, tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan,
gathered for a memorial tree planting ceremony to celebrate his life.
Lance Corporal Pritchard died
on December 20, 2009, while serving with the 4th Regiment, Royal Military
Police, in the Sangin area, in central Helmand Province.
Exactly two years after his
death, his mother Helen, sisters, grandparents, and other family and friends
joined local dignitaries to remember the 22-year-old.
An Austrian Pine tree has
been planted by Eastbourne Borough Council at the Redoubt Fortress in memory of
Michael, adjacent to a memorial tree in honour of First World War veteran Henry
Allingham, who died aged 113 as the oldest ever surviving member of any of the
British Armed Forces.
A plaque at the memorial tree
reads simply: “Michael David Pritchard, 11th January 1987 – 20th
December 2009. Forever young XXXX.”
Eastbourne Mayor Cllr Carolyn
Heaps spoke at the tree planting ceremony and described the event as a very
special day. She said: “It is very poignant to know that it is two years since
Michael died.
“We have a lovely robust tree
in memory of him, and it is going to grow and it will be a wonderful tree where
you can come to remember him.”
“It is also touching that the
tree is right next door to the tree in memory of Henry Allingham, and so we
have young and old side by side, and both served their countries well.”
Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd
also attended the ceremony and said: “This has been a very difficult and
challenging time and I wold also like to celebrate not only Michael, but Helen
and her family for their determination to keep fighting for what is so
important. I know you are very proud of Michael and I am sure he is proud of
you too.”
The Ministry of Defence is
still investigating the possibility that Michael died as a result of friendly
fire in Afghanistan.
The results of an enquiry are still awaited.
After the ceremony, Michael’s
mother Helen said: “We are honoured to have this tree, and I know Michael would
be delighted to have his memory next to Henry Allingham. We are very grateful
to the council.”
