Forces personnel join mother to honour fallen soldier at road naming ceremony

Military personnel and veterans were among those who gathered for a moving ceremony as a mother unveiled a lasting tribute to her late son who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

Carol Lake performed the official opening of Tom Lake Way, in South Oxhey, in honour of Private Tom Lake, a member of the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, who died on November 20, 2011.

Pte Lake played for Oxhey Jets FC and the Combined Counties League club joined Watford Rural Parish Council in proudly hosting dignitaries and guests for yesterday’s ceremony in the road, which is located off Prestwick Road behind a Lidl supermarket.

Serving soldiers from Pte Lake’s regiment were joined by veterans, including some former squad mates who were with him when he died, and representatives of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the RAF for the tribute.

The lowering of the Union flag (Image: John Elliott)

Following the playing of the Last Post, with the salute taken by Petty Officer James Jones of Northwood Headquarters, the Union flag was lowered.

A minute’s reflection was followed by a tribute from former commanding officer Colonel Ross Noott to Pte Lake.

Pte Lake was killed in Afghanistan in 2011 (Image: John Elliott)

Carol Lake was then invited to draw the Union flag off the road sign to reveal ‘Tom Lake Way’ and Jets founder John Elliott said her “broad smile showed her delight at a memorial that ‘will live long after me’ for her son”.

The Northwood HQ band, led by Colour Sgt Stephen Saleh, played a fanfare tribute to Pte Lake as the road was formally opened to long applause from onlookers.

Veterans stand either side of Carol Lake as onlookers gathered at the ceremony (Image: John Elliott)

John spoke of his gratitude to the parish council and the military personnel who attended the ceremony, including the veterans who had served with Pte Lake and the serving soldiers who had made the journey from Woolwich barracks.

Carol Lake with current and former personnel of The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment at the sign for Tom Lake Way (Image: John Elliott)

Jets honour the memory of Pte Lake at the staging of their annual Remembrance match against a team from the armed forces, with all proceeds donated to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Last year’s fixture was against a team from Northwood HQ and the parish council added to the appeal with a gift from the proceeds of their fun day.

The cheque is presented outside Watford Rural Parish Council (Image: John Elliott)

Petty Officer Jones and Colour Sgt Saleh accepted the cheque which took the amount raised from the Remembrance match to £4,676 for the Poppy Appeal.