Military wives lead march to war memorial in memory of murdered soldier Lee Rigby

More than 300 military families, including wives, children and civilians joined the march from Catterick Garrison to the war memorial in Richmond’s Friary Gardens.

Many had a personal link with the tragedy, including Marie Porter, from Richmond, who had been friends with Drummer Rigby.

She said: “I knew Lee personally, my husband served with him in the Fusiliers and in Afghanistan.

“I’ve been in tears today and my husband has as well. It has been hard since we found out it was Lee.”

She said she had been in shock since learning the identity of the soldier murdered in Woolwich.

“When I heard on the news that it was in Lee I was in shock. I just screamed.

“I feel sorry for his wife and her family. My heart goes out to all of them.

“He was one of the lads. He was always up for a laugh. He was always happy. He loved his family and he was always good to his mum. I think this has hit everybody in a big way, not just military, but civilians as well.”

EMOTIONAL WALK: Tears during the emotional march for Lee Rigby

March organiser Ann-Marie Brown, from Catterick Garrison, said she was so horrified at the attack, she felt compelled to do something.

Mrs Brown had lived in Woolwich while her husband was posted to barracks in London.

She said: “The night it happened I felt I needed to do something. I felt just absolute disbelief at what I was seeing on the news.

“Everybody felt the same way and wanted to make their feelings known. It’s just proved that there is a community, which has pulled together.”

Several people dressed up as cartoon characters to keep the younger members motivated, including Emily Ryde, who walked in a Hello Kitty outfit. She was there with her mother, Amanda Kilpatrick, from Catterick Garrison.

Ms Kilpatrick, who family have all served in the army for generations and whose son has just returned from Afghanistan, said: “The politics of this don’t bother me, or the religion, but this was his home and he should have been safe here.”

The marchers observed a two minute’s silence and laid flowers at the base of the memorial, which was covered in candles.

In Darlington, hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to Drummer Rigby at a memorial service held at the town's Cenotaph, within the grounds of the Memorial Hospital.

Padre John Vincent, army chaplain based at Catterick Garrison, led prayers for Drummer Rigby and his family and friends, while Andrew deCourtenay-Wellum, chairman of the Darlington branch of the Royal British Legion, read the John Donne poem No Man is an Island.

The Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band also performed at the service, finishing with Amazing Grace. Some people in the crowd were reduced to tears as the Last Post sounded and a minute’s silence was held before wreaths were laid on the monument.

Event organiser Daniel Smith, a former soldier who served with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout.

He said: “Lee Rigby’s death has been such a public thing – up and down the country people have shown their support and Darlington has done the same.”