THE town of Carterton came to a standstill yesterday as hundreds turned out in a silent tribute to returning hero Michael Foley.

The piercing sound of heartbroken onlookers’ sobs was followed by spontaneous applause as his hearse pulled away.

Lance Corporal Foley’s family were among the mourners, as were the families of two other soldiers who died in Afghanistan, Sgt Luke Taylor and Captain Rupert Bowers.

The Burnley-born soldier, who was from Nelson, died protecting his comrades when a renegade Afghan soldier tricked his way into a British base.

The bodies of the three soldiers were flown into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where the Union Flag-draped coffins were carried one by one off the aircraft.

Private services for the men’s grief-stricken relatives were held to honour the comrades before the cortege left the base on its way to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

The convoy of hearses was escorted at walking pace as it approached the memorial garden in Carterton, where the Union Flag was hung at half-mast and service personnel and members of the public stood shoulder to shoulder.

A party of Royal British Legion standard bearers from various regimental associations also lined the street to pay their respects to the soldiers.

The cortege came to a halt while the relatives of the servicemen placed red and white roses on top of the vehicles.

Family members placed their hands against the glass of the hearses as they said goodbye to their loved ones.

A silence was maintained after the cortege came to a halt, only broken by the sound of crying, but as the hearses pulled away a spontaneous applause for the soldiers’ sacrifice broke out.

Lance Corporal Foley, of the Adjutant General’s Corps, was killed at the entrance to the UK headquarters in Helmand province on Monday.

The popular soldier has been praised for his service.

His commanding officer Major BJ Cattermole said: “He served tirelessly, never failing to deliver the highest standards as a soldier and junior commander.

“His absolute dedication, infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy shone through.”

Lance Corporal Foley, above right, was described as a ‘true and devoted family man’. He leaves his wife, Sophie, children Calum, Warren and Jake; parents Craig and Debbie, sister Lisa and brother Jordan.

He was a former Barrowford County Primary School and Colne Primet High School pupil.