A memorial bench has been placed near the grave of a soldier who died in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Jamie Webb was described as a ‘true hero’ by his brother Luke Webb, 18.
Luke has launched a webpage in memory of his brother which is attracting thousands of followers.
The family celebrated what would have been Jamie’s 25th birthday at the weekend.
The former Wilmslow High School pupil was 24 when he died in March from wounds sustained in a Taliban attack in Helmand Province.
The bench, made by residents at the David Lewis Centre, was unveiled at Wilmslow Cemetery.
Luke, who also went to Wimslow High, attended with mum and dad Sue and Dave to watch the bench unveiled. They were joined by Jamie’s comrades from the First Battalion The Mercian Regiment and members of the Royal British Legion.
Handforth Parish Council and the residents association in Spath Lane, where Jamie lived, donated the bench. It was blessed by the Rev Steve Burmister from St Chad’s Church.
Luke, who has undergone five operations for a serious heart condition and who is hoping to go to college next year, said: “I’m so happy they’ve done this bench for Jamie, it’s beautiful. He was always there for me, when I was in hospital for my operations. He was the kindest person in the world and my best friend. I never got to say goodbye.
“Jamie was a true hero, he was my hero, and I want the world to know.
“We want the whole of Wilmslow and Handforth to visit Jamie’s webpage, like and share it.”
Dad Dave said he was proud of Jamie for staying in the Army after two brain operations following an attack in a Wilmslow bar when he returned from a tour in Iraq, aged 19.
Dave said: “He was so strong and we want to keep his memory alive. Now we can sit on his bench and see his grave.”
Around 1,000 mourners attended his funeral at St Chad’s Parish Church. Cynthia Samson, parish council chairman, said: “He meant so much to so many people and we wanted to remember that.”
Search ‘RIP Lance Corporal Jamie Webb’ on Facebook to find his memorial page.
