THE Ferndown community united in remembrance yesterday for the opening of a special garden of memories.

Three years to the day since 22-year-old Lieutenant John Thornton died in Afghanistan, mayor Cllr Jean Read drew back a St George’s cross to reveal a unique memorial dedicated to him and other heroes.

The Royal Marine’s father, Peter Thornton, told the crowd of around 200 people in Peter Grant Way it was a day of “mixed emotions” for the family. “As you can imagine, John’s death on this day three years ago changed our lives in a lot of ways,” he said.

“Since he was killed, Ferndown seemed to come together and we felt an upswell of support come from people who live in this town.

“It started with John’s funeral and followed through with the support that there is for the carnival, Art 4 All and Ferndown in Bloom, and it ends with this memorial.

“It’s not all about John. He may have started it and he certainly would have been very proud of it, but his is just one of many names.”

Also on the memorial, designed by Gerry Clarke, are former mayor and mayoress Pat and Ros Young, young Jitsu star Charlotte Read and Bill Stickland MBE.