Lasting tribute for Afghanistan soldier Cpl Stephen Curley

Family and friends of Corporal Stephen Curley attended a dedication ceremony in Crow Nest Park, where his name has been engraved on a new ‘other conflicts’ monument.

Dewsbury-born Cpl Curley died in Afghanistan in May. His mother, Andrea, said: “I’m so very proud of him and it’s a lovely gesture from the people of Dewsbury.”

His father, Sean, added: “It’s a great honour to have this memorial for a man who died so that communities like the one that he grew up in can continue.”

A wreath was laid by Cpl Curley’s brother, also Sean. He said: “It’s nice to remember him in this way.”

Coun Eric Firth helped to organise the memorial. He said: “It’s a privilege to be involved and get these stones, but I only hope that no more names are written on them.”

Cpl Curley died nearly a century after Private Joseph Satchwell who died fighting in Northern France during World War I.

Pte Satchwell’s name was engraved on a separate plaque, as his name was not included on the First World War memorial with his brother Frederick’s.

The omission was discovered by Terry Ingham, a descendent of Pte Satchwell, who laid a wreath with a simple message: “Rest in peace. Remembered at last. Your family.”