Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford and Armed Forces Minister recently attended a ceremony to commemorate the naming of a new road in Hawkwell in hour of Aaron Lewis, a local soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, 26 from Rochford, was fatally wounded in 2008 when the gun position he was commanding came under attack.
Aaron Lewis Close was officially named in his honour and forms part of the Clements Gate Development, in Hawkwell, built by housing developer David Wilson Homes. A bench has also been installed overlooking a green in the middle of the new estate, which bares a plaque telling Aaron’s story and words from his commanding officer in the 29 Commando Regiment of the Royal Artillery. The initiative is part of a scheme to name new roads in memory of soldiers killed in the line of duty.
Commenting on the event, Mark Francois said:
“I was pleased to be able to attend the commemoration last week and offer my support as both a local MP, and as Minister for the Armed Forces, to Mr and Mrs Lewis. I have supported this initiative from the outset and I think it is a poignant and fitting tribute to Aaron, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country.”