A MEMORIAL has been unveiled in a York park to a young soldier from the city who died earlier this year while serving in Afghanistan.

The family of Ashley David Smith were joined by MP for York Central, Huge Bayley yesterday for the unveiling of a bench and plaque dedicated to the 21-year-old.

Trooper Smith, a talented sportsman, was killed in June when he was caught up in an explosion while providing security to his fellow soldiers during the building of a road in Afghanistan.

His sister, Kizzy, who attended the ceremony along with her parents, Sandra and David, brother Jamie and niece Laura, said Ashley was a popular person who made friends very quickly.

She said: “When Ashley left school he had a few jobs but he then chose to join the army because he wanted to travel and also learn to drive.

“Ashley was very special and his death has devastated his family. We all miss him terribly but we are also very proud of him.”

Mr Bayley said: “Ashley David Smith was a first-class soldier who laid down his life for his country. In the run-up to Remembrance Sunday I want to pay tribute to Ashley and to all the servicemen and women, past and present, who have served and continue to serve our country. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to them, the men and women who, like my father, fought in the Second World War and those who have joined our armed forces and seen active service in many places since then. I am glad that Ashley’s family invited me here today.

“The bench in West Bank Park will be a lasting tribute to him.

“It is a very great privilege to be asked to unveil the plaque which bears his name.” Funding for the bench came City of York Council’s Holgate Ward Committee, after Kizzy contacted Mr Bayley in August about a permanent memorial to her brother.