A FITTING tribute has been made to a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan as a road was named after him in his hometown.
Colchester-based Lance Corporal Nicky Mason was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan and has now been remembered through a newly unveiled road sign.
Lance Cpl Mason joined the Army in 2001 and became part of the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regimentthe following year.
He trained as a reconnaissance specialist and in 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
As well as Afghanistan, Nicky had served in Northern Ireland and twice in Iraq, and represented his company and battalion in boxing and martial arts competitions.
In September 2008, the 26-year-old was on a routine patrol near Kajaki in the Helmand province in Afghanistan.
He was sweeping a piece of high ground near the crucial Kajaki Dam when an explosive device detonated, killing him.
His funeral was held at St Michael’s Church in his hometown of Aveley where hundreds turned out to pay their respects.
Now, more than ten years later, a fitting tribute has been made to the brave soldier as Thurrock Council unveiled a new road sign in his honour.
Aveley bypass has now been officially renamed Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Way.
His father Dennis Mason, who still lives in Aveley, has been campaigning for the road name for years.
He said: "Nicky used to walk over that bridge to school so this could not be in a better place. We live nearby and this is something that will stand for many years in honour of Nicky and what he did."
Friends, family, and members of B Company, 2 Para, including Lieutenant Colonel David Middleton, were there to show support.
Also showing respects were about 100 residents, Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill, MP for Thurrock Jackie Doyle-Price and Thurrock councillors including David Van Day, who took up the campaign during his time as councillor for Aveley.
Mr Gledhill said: "This road commemorates a brave young man and the service he gave his country.
“There is nothing we can do to truly repay that debt but by naming this Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Way we can honour Nicky and Thurrock will have a permanent reminder of a remarkable young man in the place where he grew up."
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