6:34pm Friday 20th November 2009
THE brother of a Braintree soldier killed in Afghanistan rode with the Queen to the State Opening of Parliament just days after learning of the tragedy.
Royal footman Fraser Marlton-Thomas insisted on taking part in the traditional procession, despite the loss of his brother, Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas in Helmand province.
Bomb disposal expert Cpl Marlton-Thomas, of 33 Engineer Regiment, was killed in an explosion on Sunday.
In Wednesday’s procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, Mr Marlton-Thomas rode behind the second carriage, carrying two ladies-in-waiting and Lord Vestey, Master of the Horse.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
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