THE name of a fallen soldier was set in stone yesterday in a moving service in his hometown.

Charlie Wood, Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Sergeant Major with the 23 Pioneer Regiment, of Middlesbrough, was killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan on December 28 last year.

The 34-year-old worked in one of the deadliest jobs in the world, helping find and defuse homemade bombs.

His death came only three days after he had organised Christmas dinner and an appearance by Father Christmas for his men, as well as the clearance of a 20kg bomb.

His ashes were taken by his widow, Heather, to her home in Bicester, along with the Elizabeth Cross - awarded to the next of kin of servicemen and women who have died, in recognition of their loss and sacrifice - after a full military funeral in January.

However, family friend, Liz Chambers, explained that WO2 Wood’s Middlesbrough family wanted somewhere near home to honour his memory.

WO2 Wood, a keen Middlesbrough FC fan who raised thousands for forces charities, joined the Army in 1994. His widow described him as “selfless” and having “a heart of gold.”

Mrs Chambers, a former secretary for the Royal British Legion, who had known WO2 Wood since he was a boy and the family for 20 years, helped organise the special ceremony in the Remembrance Garden in Albert Park, Middlesbrough.

She said: “It was very moving. There were 80 or 90 people there and, as you can imagine, his family were very emotional. As well as Barbara and his sisters and nieces, his widow and best friend were there. It was a special occasion.”

The memorial stone, paid for by Newport Community Centre, bore a photograph of WO2 Wood, his details and the words “an ever-loving son.” It was blessed by Fr Stephen Cooper of St John the Evangelist Church in Middlesbrough.

A tree was also planted by two of WO2 Wood’s two nieces, Megan, seven, and Holly, three. The Last Post was played and six standards were lowered and the famous lines from poet Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen recited. WO2 Wood’s best friend and comrade, Sgt Neil Henley laid a wreath.

After the simple, but moving ceremony a framed copy of the Elizabeth Scroll, which contains details of WO2 Wood’s military service, was presented to his mother, Barbara.

WO2 Woods’ father John died recently and was buried last week. WO2 Wood’s two sisters, Samantha and Amanda, were also in attendance.