PETTS WOOD came to a standstill this afternoon to pay respect to a fallen soldier.

Hundreds of people lined Queensway in Petts Wood, to pay their respects to Rifleman James Brown, from Orpington.

The 18-year-old soldier and Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, both of the 3rd Battalion Rifles, died on December 15 at a vehicle checkpoint near Sangin in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

The pair bravely stood their ground when two Taliban suicide bombers on a motorbike tried to ride into the market.

A private service took place at St Barnabas’ Church in Rushet Road, St Paul’s Cray, and this was followed by a cortege through Leesons Hill in St Paul’s Cray, and then onto Petts Wood Road and Tudor Way, Petts Wood.

Bearers then escorted the coffin to the Royal British Legion club in Queensway, Petts Wood, where the two branch presidents placed their poppy wreaths inside the hearse.

During the procession people were asked for one minute’s applause and each of James’ family placed a red rose inside the hearse.

A tub of Marmite was also placed inside the hearse with everyone being told that the young hero ‘loved it’.

The coffin was then escorted up to Crest View Drive in Petts Wood.

President of the Orpington Royal British Legion, Alan Clarke, said: “I thought it was excellent and very fitting.

“The high street was full of people, which shows the public are 100 per cent behind our forces.”

This was the first military funeral to take place in a London borough since the allies invaded Iraq.

Many Petts Wood businesses closed while the funeral cortege passed through the town.

Abbey customer service advisor Shannet Debbey said: “We have shut the bank so we can pay our respects to the young lad who died in Afghanistan.

“It’s important to show the family and our lads our support just to let them know that we are here and we are supporting them.”

David Bingle and his wife June came from Brookmead Avenue in Bickley to pay their respects.

Mr Bingle, 74, said: “We think they are brave young men and we feel sorry for the family.

“We think everyone should show support for the armed forces regardless of what you think about them being there.”

Sherree Holland’s son went to school with James at Coopers Technology College in Hawkwood Lane, Chislehurst.

The 50-year-old, of Ravensbury Road, St Mary Cray, said: “I think the turnout is deserving of him.

“You see it on the news but it is not until it comes this close to home that it really hits it home.

“I nearly lost a son in a serious car accident last year so my thoughts are with his mother and his family."

Orpington MP John Horam said: "The service was a very sad and moving occasion.

"Rifleman Brown was a terrific soldier and the funeral was one of the most wrenching I have ever been to.

"He got some wonderful tributes from his family and fellow soldiers."

The hearse went onto St Luke’s Church in Bromley Common, where the rifleman’s body was buried.

The teenager would have celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday (January 9).