Hexham fell silent on Friday morning as family, soldiers, veterans and other mourners gathered for the funeral of Lance Corporal Liam Potts at Hexham Abbey.
The 22-year-old Coldstream Guard was found dead near Wylam Bridge after being reported missing. His funeral brought the centre of Hexham to a standstill, with people lining Beaumont Street as flag-bearing veterans waited outside the Grade II listed abbey.
Shortly before 11am, the abbey bells rang as hundreds of mourners fell silent. The funeral cortège then approached, with the bearers lowering their flags slightly before fellow soldiers from Liam’s regiment escorted his coffin inside.
A military funeral at Hexham Abbey
Liam’s coffin was draped in the Union Flag. His regimental comrades stood to attention in uniform before carrying it through the abbey entrance.
During the hour-long service, mourners stood for the hymn I vow to thee, my country, followed by a prayer led by Reverend Ryan McKeon. Liam’s father, Paul Potts, delivered a eulogy, and further prayers were led by Padre Captain Ian Fowler.
The service also included the official regimental collect for the Coldstream Guards, reflecting Liam’s membership of the Armed Forces. A reading of the Lord’s Prayer and the hymn Jerusalem followed.
A second eulogy was read by Major Russell before the commendation brought the service to a close. Around midday, Liam’s coffin was carried from the abbey by his fellow soldiers and placed in a hearse.
A private burial followed, together with the Last Post and Reveille.
Investigation into Liam’s death
Liam was found in the River Tyne three days after he was reported missing on August 15. Northumbria Police’s major investigation team is examining the circumstances of his death.
Police previously received a report of a disturbance at The Boathouse pub in Wylam, followed by a collision on Wylam Bridge involving a vehicle and a group of pedestrians. A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were injured in the collision.
Officers said Liam was not in the vehicle and was not struck by it. He was last seen leaving the bridge on foot in the direction of Wylam.
Police are still working to establish whether the disturbance and collision were directly connected to Liam entering the water.
Two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later released on bail. The investigation remains ongoing.