3:10pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009
By Gavin Aitchison
MOURNERS gathered into York Minster to pay their final respects to York war hero Matthew Hatton.
Hundreds of people gathered inside and outside the church, where a service of thanksgiving was held for the 23-year-old, ahead of a private funeral service in Haxby.
Lance Bombardier Hatton became the first York soldier to die in Afghanistan, when he was caught in a double-explosion in Helmand province on August 13.
At today's service, the congregation sang I Vow to Thee My Country, The Lord is My Shepherd and Jerusalem, while an excerpt from John 14 was read.
Ahead of the service, standard-bearers and members of the public lined the streets, as the cortège was driven through Monk Bar and along Goodramgate and Deangate to the South Entrance of the Minster.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/trade_directory/