RELATIVES of a soldier killed in Afghanistan have unveiled a new community war memorial.

The family of Sapper Daryn Roy, from Dipton, near Stanley, were joined by dignitaries for the ceremony on Saturday.

The new memorial was blessed and a bugler played the Last Post in memory of those from the former pit village who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Richard Holden, North-West Durham MP, who attended the service said: “It was a really poignant.

“Daryn’s father was there and he has been one of the leading campaigners for this memorial.

“It was good to see him there doing the unveiling and leading the tributes.

“There are other memorials in the area but people in Dipton felt the one there did not represent the magnitude of the sacrifice.

“This is a much more fitting tribute to the people of Dipton who fought and died in both world wars and in conflicts since and in service to their country.”

The campaign for the war memorial grew after Sapper Roy, 28, who was part of a convoy, was killed by a roadside bomb in the Nad-e Ali area of Helmand province in May 2010.

The Northern Echo:

Sapper Daryn Roy

His death had a profound effect on the community, and people lined the streets for his funeral and created a shrine in his honour.

Dipton War Memorial Group was formed in the aftermath to ensure all of the village’s war dead are remembered in a respectful way.

Spr Roy’s name appears on the memorial along with all of those who died in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts over the years.

Susan Goss, secretary and treasurer of the group, which raised over £13,000 for the memorial, said: “We had a memorial in the village for years but when Daryn Roy died people started to ask if was still fitting. We did have to limit the numbers at the service because of Covid but everyone seems to be impressed with it.

“We had the British Legion there on Saturday with the standard and representatives from all three services including the army, navy and air force.

“It was very moving.”