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Military farewell for James
THE funeral of fallen Rawmarsh soldier James 'Levy' Leverett will take place today (Thursday) at Sheffield.
THE funeral of fallen Rawmarsh soldier James 'Levy' Leverett will take place today (Thursday) at Sheffield.
The former Rawmarsh Community School pupil and Trooper will leave the family home at St Nicolas' Road for a full military service at Sheffield Cathedral.
After it, James, 20, will return home to Rawmarsh Cemetery.
His life was ended by a home-made bomb that blew up the Viking armoured vehicle in which he was travelling, in Helmand Province on July 5.
His outstanding service was honoured by the army last week, when medals awarded posthumously to the dead soldier were collected by his mother Sharon.
They included the relatively new Elizabeth Cross that is given to parents of dead soldiers to mark their ultimate sacrifice, and the Operational Service Medal for time served in Afghanistan.
Trooper Leverett served with the Green Horse Squadron of the Viking Group of the Royal Dragoon Guards.
It was revealed by the Times last week that his expected son, by girlfriend Tiffany Lound, will be named James Anthony after his hero dad.
James had planned to take four weeks' leave from next month to be at the birth.
Rawmarsh folk have shared the grief of Tiffany, James' parents Neville and Sharon, and brothers Neville, Lewis and Jack with two big gatherings.
The first was a lantern release at Rosehill Park, and the second saw hundreds, including pregnant Tiffany, mass for a sponsored walk from Rawmarsh to the Don Valley sports stadium.
Only family flowers - and single roses - will accompany James' coffin today, with all monetary donations to be given to the Royal Dragoon Guards.
Roads will be closed to allow the passage of the funeral cortege through Sheffield, with mounted police accompanying the coffin on the last leg of its journey through the city.
Major Denis James, one of James' commanding officers, described Trooper Leverett as "a man of the highest quality, with a wicked sense of humour" who was about to be recommended for promotion to Lance Corporal.
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Weather for South Yorkshire
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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