Memorial ride for Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington 2019

Memorial ride for Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington 2019

Not even the weather could put a dampener on the day as bikers met for the annual Scott Hetherington memorial ride at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday (19 January).

The group set off at 12 noon before heading past Queen’s Park, Heywood, to Bowlee, past Middleton cenotaph to the Gardeners pub via Long Street and Hollin Lane.

Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, 22, of the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died on 2 January 2017 after a tragic accident in the town of Taji, north west of Baghdad, Iraq. 

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107285/death-in-iraq-of-lance-corporal-scott-hetherington

The Middleton soldier was buried with full military honours at Boarshaw Cemetery.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107764/lance-corporal-scott-hetherington-buried-with-full-military-honours

Organiser Gavin Vitler said: “Massive thanks to all who attended the ride and memorial, and massive well done to the marshals. We raised £300 for two chosen charities, Minds at War and The Lee Rigby Foundation.”

Scott’s mum, Anne Hetherington said: “Thank you each and every one of you for celebrating my Scott’s life. You don't know how good you all made me feel for that one day.”

A memorial plaque was also unveiled following the ride, which will be installed at Middleton Army Cadets, alongside a similar plaque in remembrance of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Fusilier Rigby was also a Middleton soldier, who was brutally murdered in Woolwich in 2013.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/80554/murdered-soldier-named-as-lee-rigby-from-langley