Memorial honours fallen marines from 40 Commando

A memorial has been unveiled to honour the 14 members of Somerset-based 40 Commando killed during their recent tour of Afghanistan.

Family, friends and members of the community gathered at Norton Manor camp to see the stone blessed.

Lt Col Paul James said it was a proud and poignant moment.

"We've lost a lot of people over in Afghanistan. This gives us an opportunity to have a place for reflection," he said.

'Trees planted'

The memorial was crafted locally and many people from the Taunton area came together to meet its cost.

Fourteen trees were planted around the monument - one for each of the lives lost on the recent tour.

One of those was in honour of Lt John Thornton, 22, from Ferndown, Dorset, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 when a roadside bomb blew up the vehicle in which he was travelling.

His father Peter Thornton said it was absolutely amazing the community had come together to put up the memorial up.

"It helps to remember all the lads that had been killed - not just my son - but all the others from 40 Commando.

"It's amazing and it's a wonderful memorial," Mr Thornton added.