WREATHS were laid to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.
Corporal Lloyd Newell was fatally wounded by small arms fire while on operations in Helmand province on June 16, 2011.
The devoted family man, from Witham, had become dad to a baby daughter Ella just nine weeks earlier.
A memorial service was held at the town's war memorial.
An officer from Colchester-based 3 Para laid a wreath, along with Lloyd's family, town mayor Angela Kilmartin and the Witham branch of the Royal British Legion.
Lloyd had been in Witham's Army Cadets as a youngster and went to Rickstones Academy.
The Lloyd Newell Award was launched in his memory and this year's winner also laid a wreath at the memorial.
Royal British Legion branch chairman Tom Pleasance said: "It went very well. It was well attended by family, friends and the Legion.
"There was a warm feeling of family and an appreciation of what Lloyd did.
"We tend to recognise those who were killed in the world wars so it is good to acknowledge and honour a young soldier who lost his life in a recent conflict."
Loyd's nephew, Ethan Williams, 17, is the Essex County Royal British Legion youth standard bearer.
He carried the Witham branch standard at the memorial ceremony in honour of Lloyd.
A bugler played the Reveille and Last Post at the ceremony, which was led by Rev Michael Child.
The standard was lowered while a minute's silence took place.
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