Cathedral service to pay tribute to Bristol soldier killed on patrol
A BRISTOL soldier killed in Afghanistan will be remembered with a celebration of his life at Bristol Cathedral tomorrow morning.
Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was shot by enemy forces in Helmand on August 9.
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Andrew Chesterman
The 26-year-old, pictured, from Stoke Bishop, was commanding a vehicle patrol when the lead vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.
As Lt Chesterman moved forward to take control of the situation, insurgents opened fire and he was shot. He was taken to hospital at the main British base, Camp Bastion, but could not be saved.
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On August 21, Lt Chesterman's body was flown into RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, along with those of Lance Corporal Matthew Smith and Guardsman Jamie Shadrake.
The three servicemen's bodies were carried off a C-17 Globemaster transport plane in Union flag-draped coffins.
More than 100 of their relatives, friends and supporters stood side by side at the memorial garden in the village of Carterton.
At the side of the road, 26 Royal British Legion standard-bearers slowly lowered their flags as family members wept.
After his death, Lt Chesterman's dad Paul said his family had lost "a fine young man".
Mr Chesterman added that the soldier's relatives, including his sisters Anna and Olivia, were "immensely proud" of him. Lt Chesterman's mother, Julia, died of cancer five years ago.
Lt Chesterman, a platoon commander with C Company, was deployed to Afghanistan in April.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Maconochie, paid tribute to his "professional excellence, self-discipline, integrity and loyalty".
The family says the service tomorrow, starting at 11am, is open to anyone who wants to pay their respects.
After the funeral there will be a gun salute from members of 3 Rifles, before Lt Chesterman is taken to Canford Crematorium.
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