The street, off Field Lane, Upton, Pontefract, will be known as Luke Farmer Way and contains 22 affordable homes (10 bungalows and 12 houses), managed by social housing provider WDH, in memory of Rifleman Luke Farmer, who was sadly killed in action in 2010.
Luke grew up in Upton, Pontefract and joined the Army’s 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, in 2008. After completing basic training, Luke was deployed to Afghanistan but was sadly killed on 15 January 2010 whilst on patrol, aged just 19.
His family had wanted something in the area to be named after him and when contacted about the development, they felt it was fate that the street would be right across from his childhood home.
The street was officially named at a dedication ceremony on Thursday 29 June when Luke’s family were joined by members of his regiment, representatives from WDH, Mears Group and Wakefield Council.
Luke’s dad, Mark Farmer, said:
We’ve lived most of our lives in this area and Luke lived here all his. I can remember him playing on the field with his friends leading up to the park. Now there will be a new road there, with his name on it. Every day when I walk down my street, I will be able to look across and see his name. Words can’t even describe how much that means to me.
Some of the houses will also be named after Luke’s regiment to further commemorate him. New tenants are expected to move in at the end of July.
Kevin Holden, Mears Group Health & Safety Director, and Armed Forces Group Lead, attended the ceremony on behalf of Mears Group.
He said:
It is both an honour and a privilege, for Mears Group to be part of this amazing tribute. Luke was clearly a very courageous and brave soldier, and the naming of a street after him is such an incredible way of providing a fitting and lasting tribute, to someone who sadly lost their life during service.
