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Corporal Kris's family back bid to honour fallen soldiers on stamps
THE family of fallen Calderdale soldier Corporal Kris O'Neill are asking people to sign a petition calling for stamps commemorating war heroes.
Britain's official war artist has launched a campaign to persuade Royal Mail to issue stamps featuring soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq.
Corporal O'Neill, killed by a roadside bomb in Basra, is one of 137 servicemen and women pictured on a collection of facsimile stamps war artist Steve McQueen produced for the Imperial War Museum.
Kris's brother, Michael, said: "It is not about being pro or anti-war. It is about honouring the servicemen and women who have lost their lives, whatever your views on the war."
One hundred and fifty six families were asked to take part. Only 19 declined.
Cpl O'Neill's widow, Tina, was approached by Mr McQueen and chose the photograph of her husband, originally from Sowerby, which appears on his stamp. She and his brother Michael have both visited the exhibition at the Imperial War Museum in London, entitled Queen and Country.
Mr O'Neill said it was very poignant, bringing home how many had lost their lives during the war.
He added: "It makes the whole family feel proud of the job Kris was doing. But we know we are not the only family going through what we are going through."
They want everyone in Calderdale, and across the UK, to sign Mr McQueen's petition.
Cpl O'Neill's dad, Kevin, said: "I think the stamps are a great idea. They are a good way to remember all the soldiers who paid the ultimate price because people will use them every day."
Dad-of-two Cpl O'Neill, a former pupil of Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby, was in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
He was 27 when he was killed, along with three other soldiers including Prince William's friend Second Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, and a civilian interpreter.
The Royal Mail rejected the idea in September, saying it took several years to produce a range of stamps and its stamps celebrated symbols rather than individuals.
Queen and Country is on display at the Imperial War Museum until January 6 2008.
* You can sign the petition at www.artfund.org/queenandcountry
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