THE family of a soldier who died after being injured in an explosion in Afghanistan will receive a memorial medal from the Duke of Edinburgh.

The parents of former Todmorden High student Corporal Jack Stanley are set to receive the Elizabeth Cross from Prince Philip at an emotional ceremony in Paderborn, Germany, tomorrow.

His father, Tom, and mother, Brenda, and girlfriend Sarah Bell, are jetting out with family members to honour their son, who died on April 8, aged just 26.

Jack was caught in an explosion from an improvised explosive device (IED) on February 3 and died later in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

He was well-known in Todmorden and several fundraisers have been arranged to honour his memory.

Mr Stanley said: “It will be very upsetting, an emotional ceremony, which will be tinged with pride.

The receiving of the medal will be the final act, the last commemoration for what he achieved.”

He served with The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) and was given a full military funeral.

A memorial service also took place in Birmingham recently so medics could also pay their respects.

Mr Stanley added: “The memorial service was very upsetting, and I think this will be too. There are nine of us attending, which will be the end of the commemorations, and life will have to go one the best it can. What has happened left a big hole in the family.”

Prince Philip is colonel-in-chief of the regiment and will witness a 400-strong parade, at the regiment’s German base, where Jack’s comrades will receive their campaign medals.

Jack’s family will meet with the Duke of Edinburgh in the corporal’s mess. Capt Charlie Gairdner regimental adjutant, said: “What better way to honour Corporal Stanley than to have the Elizabeth Cross presented by royalty?

"We are really pleased the Duke of Edinburgh has agreed.”

The Elizabeth Cross was introduced in 2009 to give ‘tangible national recognition for service families for their loss’.