Bomb blast victim should be remembered forever in his home town, says proud mum

BY STEPHEN STEWART naming of the new street had already gone through planning so the council said there was nothing they could do to name the street after him.”

Isobel said she now hoped to get William’s name added to the town’s war memorial.

She added: “I’ve asked the British Legion about getting his name added to the war memorial.

“Some towns have a separate memorial for conflicts other than World War I or II so maybe something like that would be a good way to remember him.”

William, 30, was due to become a dad just weeks before he lost his life. He recorded a bedtime story for his unborn son on a CD before he started his third tour of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

Keen skier and kayak instructor William and Sam, 21 – both from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland – died with reservist comrade Bobby, 25, from 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. They were at the front of a heavilyarmoured 27-ton Mastiff troop carrier when it was blown into the air and flipped on to its side by a roadside device packed with an estimated 32 stones of explosives.

Six other troops in the back were injured and nine Afghan soldiers died in the tragedy.

The victims – who had only been in the war zone for a couple of weeks – received medical aid and were flown to a Camp Bastion military hospital but could not be saved.

Comrades described William as an “exceptional soldier”. Isobel added: “It was nice to see so many people sign up for the petition. Hopefully, this will increase the pressure to have him remembered in Adrossan.”

North Ayrshire Council said William’s name will be included in a “name bank” and he could be honoured in the near future.

A council spokesman said: “We didn’t receive the street name request from Ms Savage until after the process and weren’t able to change the names agreed at an earlier meeting.

“We appreciate that she would wish to posthumously honour her son’s memory and the name will be considered, if she still wishes, when we are deciding on street names in future developments within Ardrossan or elsewhere in North Ayrshire.”