Aaron James McClure

My brave son Aaron was killed while on duty in Afghanistan on 23rd August 2007. He was a soldier in
the Royal Anglians, B company who had become his second family.
During serious contact with the enemy, Aaron along with two of his close friends, Robert Foster
and John Thrumble, were killed in a bomb attack, a 'friendly fire' incident. Aaron was only 19,
hadn't been Passed Out a year before his life was taken from him...just as he had only started to
enjoy life and map his future out.

Aaron was born and brought up in Ipswich along side me, and his 3 younger brothers, Lewis 18, Daniel
16 and Ryan 12. He was a very quite and serious lad who knew what he wanted out of life.....a career
in the army became his focus, starting when he joined the cadets aged 15. By just after his 18th
birthday, he was saying goodbye at Ipswich station to start his journey through the army in
Catterick. through 6 months of training that he sailed through due to the fact that he was a total
fitness fanatic, and health devotee, we stood so proudly at Catterick and watched him Pass Out on
October 6th 2006. No one could have cried more tears of pride and happiness as I did that whole day.
He stood as proud and as handsome in his uniform, marched up to collect his 'Best PT' award, as we
cheered and clapped through tears and joy. My son, the soldier, my hero, my world.....we were told
that day, that in April 07 Aaron would be heading out to Afghanistan. The fear never left my heart,
and the anxiety so deep and strong but i never thought i'd lose my son.

Aaron was the most remarkable son, brother, grandson, nephew and best friend. He never hurt anyone
and hated to see anyone being hurt in any way at all. Always there by your side in a heartbeat for
me and his brothers if we needed him. Aaron would go out of his way to help anyone, without a doubt.
He fought and bickered with his brothers, as all close knit siblings do, but he always kept them
under his wing, as he did with me. Words just cannot express how much Aaron means to me and all his
family, there are not enough words to express the devastation we all feel now and forever about
losing Aaron. It's just unbearable.
The one comfort we feel in a very small way, is that Aaron was doing the job he loved so much,
he was around his second family, his 'brothers in arms', but he should never have been taken the way
he was.
I know he is up there looking down on us, protecting us and hearing our prayers every night. I
know he is up there with many brave hero soldiers now, all looking after each other.

You're an angel in heaven now son.....I love you so much and will miss you everyday until it is my
turn to join you.
MUM xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I would just like to say a huge thank you to every last one that has lit a candle for Aaron and left
your beautiful messages of condolance to us all. All your messages give us that little bit of
strength and hope that through all the pain, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness, that we will one
day see that light at the end of the tunnel. The empty hole in our hearts will never be filled
again, only Aaron can fill that blank..but coming here brings some kind of comfort to us. Our hearts
are with every one who has lost something so precious as we have........Aarons mum, Lorraine
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INTO THE WEST.........

Lay down, your sweet and weary head,
Night is falling, you've come to journeys end,
Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before,
They are calling,
From across a distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see,
All of your fears will pass away.

Safe in my arms, you're only sleeping.

What can you see, on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea, a pale moon rises,
The ships have come, to carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass,
A light on the water
All souls pass.

Hope fades, into the world of night,
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don't say, we have come now to the end,
White shores are calling,
You and I will meet again.
And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping.

What can you see, on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea, a pale moon rises,
The ships have come, to carry you home.

And all will turn, to silver glass
A light on the water, grey ships pass
Into the West.......................

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Please go and have a quick look at the slideshow my niece Kirsty has made for Aaron........she
has done Aaron and the whole family very proud as she has made a few of them now.

http://bebo.com/watch/5387684690
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