Matthew Tottle served alongside James Prosser, who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2009. The pair were in the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh.
A few months ago, Matthew spotted a collection tin on the counter in the Co-op on North Road in Croesyceiliog. It had a photo of James on it, so Matthew asked the staff member what it was for.
That chat led to Matthew deciding to walk 35 miles from Brecon to Cwmbran along the canal to show his support for the campaign for a memorial mural and reflection garden near Llantarnam Grange in memory of his friend James, and Private Kyle John Adams and Corporal Michael John Thacker – two other Cwmbran men who were also killed in Afghanistan
Matthew found out that Private Adam’s mum and dad- John and Moira Adams- lived near him in Croesyceiliog. A few days later, he saw John walking his dog and struck up a conversation.
Matthew said: “He took me into his house and told me about Kyle. They are a lovely family, they are.
“How amazing does that mural look? It looks fantastic. It would mean so much to so many people. I just wanted to do something for it and I set myself a challenge. The support has been amazing.”
Matthew will set off for his walk on Saturday 3 October at 7am. He will also pass through Abergavenny, the home town of Private Richard Hunt, another fallen soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh killed in the Afghanistan conflict.
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ENDS
i live by little coop – james poresss facd bheing the til, i was in afhagnti with hames. i asked who put thta there. they told me agbout john, kyle’s dad, lives right behing me. he told me aall about
how mazing that mural is. ti looks fatnatsic , it would bso mnay to aso man yp oeople. iwju wat t o do someetin gor tits. and i chose this. i’l set myself a challegne, i think i oprgbably over done it at bit. it’ sgorwn from there .
suport has been azmming that’s will into the fun fund
coryes coop- lady , john put it in their , scottish john, i saw him alking his dog- he tookd me in hsiosue an told me about kyel l i t was quite urreal really.
i’ve got to got behing
37
lovley family, they are .
7am- basin,
next door nieghbou, uncle thaker uncle.
same reginment as james -same time, – piece
Private James Prosser was 21 and serving with 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, when he was killed on 27 September 2009. The Warrior vehicle he was driving was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand Province.
A Welsh veteran is speed marching 35 miles carrying 30kg of kit to raise funds for a memorial to three Cwmbran soldiers killed in Afghanistan, one of whom he served alongside.
- Matthew Tottle will march from Brecon to Cwmbran along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal towpath on 3 October, tracking the route by GPS, to raise funds for a memorial mural and reflection garden.
- The memorial will honour Private Kyle Adams, 21, and Private James Prosser, 21, both killed in explosions in Helmand Province in 2009, and Corporal Michael Thacker, 27, killed by small arms fire in 2012 — all with links to Cwmbran.
- Matthew said he served alongside one of the three, and will also pass through Abergavenny, home town of Richard Hunt, another fallen 2 Royal Welsh soldier who was the 200th British serviceman killed in the Afghanistan conflict.
- Over £265 raised so far towards the £500 target for Matthew’s individual page.
Welcome and thank you for visiting my page. My name is Matthew Tottle.
On Saturday the 3rd of October at approximately 0700hrs I will be speed marching from Brecon Canal Basin all the way to Five Locks Basin in my home town of Cwmbran, along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal towpath (35 miles approximately).
I will be doing this to raise money for a local effort that intends to build a memorial wall in honour of three Cwmbran Infantry Soldiers, one of which I had the honour of serving alongside, who all made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and never returned home.
James Prosser of 2 Royal Welsh, Kyle John Adams of the Parachute Regiment, and Michael John Thacker of 1 Royal Welsh are three local heroes in Cwmbran who gave their all in service to their country, and each of them left behind families, friends, and a community who will forever remember their courage and bravery.
The aim is to create a memorial mural and reflection garden in Cwmbran, a peaceful public space where people can pause, reflect, and honour not only these three servicemen, but all soldiers past and present. This space will stand as a symbol of gratitude, remembrance, and community unity.
I will complete the speed march carrying 30kg of equipment and will track the march with a GPS device. I will Also provide updates via this platform of any significant event details.
All funds raised will go directly to the funds being raised for the mural, which has a target of fifty thousand pounds.