THE MOTHER of a South Craven soldier who was shot dead in Afghanistan has welcomed news the last British combat troops have been pulled out of the country – so that more soldiers do not have to die.

Sergeant Gareth Thursby, 29, and 18-year-old Private Thomas Wroe were killed at a checkpoint by a man dressed as a local Afghan policeman in September, 2012.

Both served with the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s).

Now Sgt Thursby’s mother, Caroline Whitaker, says she has “mixed emotions” about the withdrawal of troops after 13 years in the country.

She said: “I am really pleased our lads are coming home so more mothers do not have to go through what me and my family went through.

“But there is part of me that thinks if we had done this more than two years ago, my son would still be here.

“It is still very, very raw – I don’t think anyone can really get over losing a child.

“I have not been able to watch anything about the troops coming home on TV. It’s too much – it just brings it all back.

“It’s even worse with Remembrance Day coming up.”

The end of British combat operations was announced on Sunday with Camp Bastion handed over to Afghan control. The final UK troops left on Monday.

Sgt Thursby is survived by his widow, Louise, from Cross Hills, and children Joshua and Ruby. He was a former pupil of South Craven School in Cross Hills.

As well as Afghanistan, he had also served in Kosovo and Iraq, and his name was added to Skipton’s war memorial last year.

Mrs Whitaker, originally from Skipton, but who now lives in Padiham, near Burnley, said she feared “a lot of lads have died needlessly” in Afghanistan.

“Sadly, I don’t think it will make much difference in the long run. I think it will be difficult to keep the Taliban from taking the country back eventually.”

Shortly after Sgt Thursby’s death, his widow, Louise, said: “Gareth was the love of my life.

“He was an amazing husband and father, happy, full of life and kind-hearted with a passion for his work and family.

“He was brave, hardworking, a loving husband who was a devoted father to his children.”