New development to bear name of Crawley soldier who died serving in Afghanistan
John Brackpool, of Bewbush, was 27 years old when he died in action on July 9 2009, two days short of his 28th birthday.
At a full meeting of Crawley Borough Council on Wednesday (October 17), Geraint Thomas, cabinet member for environmental services, announced that a development of 37 affordable homes on the former Kilnmead car park would be known as John Brackpool Close.
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Hide AdThe 32 flats on the site will be named John Brackpool Court.
Private Brackpool’s mother, Carol, fully supported the idea and said: “When I first heard about it I was thrilled; it’s something good to come out of something so bad.
“It’s great that there will be something in his memory in Crawley forever.
“It’s a lovely idea and he would have loved it. He was a Crawley lad and loved the town; if he’d come home I’m sure he’d still be living here.”
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Hide AdAn emotional Mr Thomas told the meeting that Private Brackpool, who had one child, had been serving as a rifleman with the Prince of Wales’s Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, in Helmund Province. when he died.
He added: “This is a worthy commemoration of Private John Brackpool’s service and sacrifice. I’m pleased to have been able to work with John’s mother to name this new street and development after him.”