Burscough soldier Sarah Bryant to be honoured at National Memorial

Jun 18 2009 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

THE first British woman soldier killed in Afghanistan will have her name added to a national memorial this weekend.

Sarah Bryant, whose father Des Feely used to run the Red Lion pub in Burscough, died when the vehicle she was in hit a landmine.

She had been out on duty in Helmand Province.

This Saturday (June 20) Sarah’s name – along with all the names of all the British soldiers killed last year – will be added to the National Memorial.

This is a very special monument, situated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which honours those who have died serving their country since World War Two.

Mr Feely will attend the ceremony which will have an added poignancy as takes place just three days after the first anniversary of her death.

He said: “Many a long-established university, college or committee room has name boards to honour persons who have distinguished themselves within that organisation past and present. The last thing I ever thought I’d be attending is a ceremony unveiling my daughter’s name in a place purposely designed to honour the dead, killed in action whilst representing their country.

“She was just 26 and given normal circumstances had the world at her feet, a fact echoed by many very senior officers in their eulogies.”