Britain will hold a private military funeral for the soldier who was hacked to death in a terror attack on a London street in May. Drummer Lee Rigby's funeral will take place at a parish church in Bury, Greater Manchester, on July 12, UK's ministry of defence has announced.
The 25-year-old was killed near his army barracks in Woolwich, south-east London. A guard of honour will keep a vigil over his body the night before the private service, broadcast to outsiders via a PA system, an MoD spokesperson said.
A parade of drummers will escort his funeral cortege on July 11, to be met by a guard of honour of 40 soldiers drawn from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
The chaplain of 2nd battalion of Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will conduct a service for the family. The body will be guarded overnight by members of his regiment. Bury has strong links with Rigby's regiment, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, whose roots go back to the Bury-based Lancashire Fusiliers. A private committal will then take place at Middleton Cemetery.
Rigby was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22. Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, both British Muslim converts, are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18 for the murder.
They are also accused of the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used.
