More than 4,000 people lined the streets to pay their respects to Drummer Rigby as his body was taken in a hearse to his regiment’s garrison church.
Many broke into spontaneous applause as drummers from 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers escorted their fellow serviceman’s cortege through Bury, Greater Manchester.
Tragic Lee’s Union flag-draped coffin — topped with his belt, medals and bearskin — was carried into Bury Parish Church by pallbearers from his Corps of Drums.
The soldier’s tearful family and closest friends then entered the church for the private service — including his two-year-old son Jack.
The family gather again today at the church for his funeral, which will be broadcast over loudspeakers to crowds outside. Lee will then be taken to his home town of Middleton eight miles away to be buried in a private service.
Yesterday his family thanked the public for the “overwhelming support” they had received since he was killed in a terrorist attack near Woolwich barracks, South East London, in May.
Stepfather Ian Rigby, 54, said Lee had become a “hero” and the sick schemes of his killers had “backfired”.
He added: “People have been supporting us everywhere we have been. “Lee has become a hero. Whatever the intention of his attackers was, it’s backfired because it’s made Lee into a hero and a martyr. “We have been having phone calls or letters from mosques, Jewish groups, every religion you can think of. The country is united — whatever elements may wish to stop it.”
Lee’s widow Rebecca, 30, said: “It’s just horrible that it takes something like this to make you see how many good people there are.”
She said she wanted her 25-year-old husband to be remembered as the “bubbly” man he was. She added: “He was always so full of life. He just wanted to put a smile on everybody’s face.”
Mum Lyn, 46, said: “We have received overwhelming support. It has given us the strength to get through this.”
Drummer Rigby was hacked to death as he walked along the street in an attack claimed to be in revenge for the killing of Muslims by the British military.
Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with his murder and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in November.
more photos of the event
Lee and His Son, during happy times.
Yesterday his family thanked the public for the “overwhelming support” they had received since he was killed in a terrorist attack near Woolwich barracks, South East London, in May.
Stepfather Ian Rigby, 54, said Lee had become a “hero” and the sick schemes of his killers had “backfired”.
He added: “People have been supporting us everywhere we have been. “Lee has become a hero. Whatever the intention of his attackers was, it’s backfired because it’s made Lee into a hero and a martyr. “We have been having phone calls or letters from mosques, Jewish groups, every religion you can think of. The country is united — whatever elements may wish to stop it.”
Lee’s widow Rebecca, 30, said: “It’s just horrible that it takes something like this to make you see how many good people there are.”
She said she wanted her 25-year-old husband to be remembered as the “bubbly” man he was. She added: “He was always so full of life. He just wanted to put a smile on everybody’s face.”
Mum Lyn, 46, said: “We have received overwhelming support. It has given us the strength to get through this.”
Drummer Rigby was hacked to death as he walked along the street in an attack claimed to be in revenge for the killing of Muslims by the British military.
Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with his murder and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in November.
more photos of the event
Lee and His Son, during happy times.
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