MOURNERS who attended the funeral of Private Jason Williams have praised the people of Worcester for the way they paid their respects.

Hundreds of people lined the streets as the 23-year-old’s coffin made its way from the Church of St George in Barbourne through the city to Worcester Crematorium on Thursday.

Pte Williams, of Sunnyside Road, Barbourne, died in an explosion in Helmand province on Saturday, August 8, while trying to retrieve the body of a fallen comrade serving with the Afghan National Army (ANA). People have since logged onto the RIP Jason Williams Our Hero tribute page on social networking website Facebook to express their thoughts.

Laura Doris Elderkin wrote: “It was such a beautiful service today you would have been so proud to see all the people lining the street to send you off it was possibly the hardest thing to do to say goodbye but we know you actually will never leave us you will always be with us everyday you are home to rest you are our hero xx.”

Rachel Beckett-Stevens wrote: “a truly amazing sight today in Worcester to see so many people lining the streets to say goodbye to such a brave person. I hope we as a comunity made you as proud of us as we all are of you, and that we offered your family some kind of surport.”

Jill Lloyd wrote: “We were there today. What a lovely service, yet tragic. The dignity shown by Jason’s mum and sister is a lesson to us all. We love you Jay, a very special man. Safe journey......xxxx”

Jamie Penney wrote: “Jase I was privileged to attend today mate, feel a bit bad cos I hadn’t seen you for a while. You were a true hero and did your country, family and regiment proud. You will never be forgotten, mate. And to all the soldiers currently on the frontline stay safe, your country is behind you.”

Meanwhile tributes continue to pour in for Pte Williams, including senior officers from 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

The Mercian’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton said the ANA now regard Pte Williams “as a hero” and that his downfall has helped to further enhance relations between the two forces.

Colour Sergeant Michael Saunders, of Worcester, said in his latest blog back home that Pte Williams’ actions showed how brave a soldier he was.

“To move into an area that you know may be littered with improvised explosive devices, knowing the danger, yet doing it anyway is raw courage and for my mind there is no greater sacrifice than the living forfeiting their safety and in this case their lives to protect their dead or injured fellow soldiers,” he said.