Tragic soldier on way home

Lorraine Tinney • Published 27 Jul 2010 14:00

THE parents of hero soldier Stephen Monkhouse will be reunited with their son when his body is flown back to the UK on Thursday.

Lance Corporal Monkhouse, 28, of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was shot dead while trying to save a wounded colleague in Afghanistan last week.

The devoted dad, of Graham Street, was only a few days away from returning home to Greenock to see his family and two-year-old son Brandon when he was killed in Lashkar Gah district of Helmand Province on Wednesday night.

His heartbroken mother Linda Watt last week described him as the 'perfect son', while his dad Billy, 51, spoke of his popularity, saying 'half of Greenock knew him and he knew the other half.'

Their agonising wait to spend time with Stephen before they bid a final farewell is coming to a close.

His family say the brave Scots Guard's body is expected to be flown into RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire at around lunchtime on Thursday before passing through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett.

Billy and Linda and another six family members will travel to Wiltshire on Wednesday.

Mr Monkhouse said: "There will be a fly-past at 700 feet and the hearse will take his coffin into the chapel of rest where we will get a chance to spend some time with him."

A coroner will then carry out a post mortem examination before Stephen's remains are released to his family.

Mr Monkhouse says it could take up to two weeks before Stephen's funeral will take place at St Andrew's Church in Larkfield.

Stephen also leaves a brother Allan, 24, sisters Ashleigh,18 and Stacey, 17, and step-sister and step-brother Kerri and Nathan Cory.

Tributes have continued to pour in to the selfless actions of Lance Corporal Monkhouse who gave his life to save a colleague.

The Telegraph has received a letter from a Greenockian in Dubai who suggests naming a street or building in Stephen's memory.

He said: "I believe that without undermining the exploits of any other fallen, disfigured and or injured soldier, the actions of Lance Corporal Stephen Monkhouse were not only above and beyond the call of duty but should be celebrated accordingly.

"I would like to propose that we, as fellows Greenockians, should not only be extremely proud of our fallen hero, but name a street, a building or high school after Stephen, to commemorate his actions and let his name be remembered forever.

"Furthermore I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Monkhouse family. In times like these, you need to know we share your grief and you are not alone."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 27 Jul 10

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