Honour our fallen war heroes, says councillor

Kirklees councillor Phil Scott, himself a former soldier, says the move would recognise the sacrifices made by them as well as their families.

Normally streets are not named after people who have lived in the recent past, but Coun Scott is calling for a change.

The scheme has already come into effect in other local authorities and he is asking Kirklees to follow suit.

He has written to cabinet members Couns Peter McBride and Cathy Scott offering both his help and his insights as a former serviceman.

Coun Scott said: “As an ex-serviceman I am committed to using my time in office to increase people’s appreciation and understanding of the work of the armed forces and to ensure that those who do not return from active duty are remembered locally.

“This would be a small but worthwhile gesture of respect which I am hoping the Cabinet members will support.”

He was a member of the 1st Battalion of Duke of Wellington’s regiment for six years, during which time he was part of the UN Peacekeeping force in Bosnia, something which he feels helps him to further people’s understanding of the armed forces.

If the move is accepted, among those honoured by having new streets named after them could include Sgt Christian Hickey of East Bierley, Cpl Jake Hartley of Dewsbury and Lance Cpl Shaun Brierley of Batley, all of whom have died in the service of their country in recent years.

Sgt Hickey of The first Battalion Coldstream Gaurds was killed in an improvised explosive device attack in Iraq in 2005. Cpl Hartley died alongside six others when their amoured vehicle vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Southern Afghanistan on March 6, 2012.

Lance Cpl Shaun Brierley 29, an experienced radio operator, was killed on duty in Kuwait in 2003 when his Land Rover hit a mound of tarmac in the road causing the vehicle to turn over.