Bar apologises for turning away soldiers before funeral

Comrades of a Royal Welsh soldier were refused service at a Coventry bar before his funeral - because they were wearing their military uniforms.

Family and friends of Corporal Michael Thacker, who was killed in Afghanistan this month, had tried to purchase tea and coffee at Browns bar in Jordan Well on Monday.

The group included Corporal Thacker’s brother Matthew, along with colleagues acting as pall-bearers during the service at the city's cathedral.

They said they had been rehearsing their duties that morning and wanted to take a short refreshment break before the ceremony itself, adding that they had not wished to buy alcoholic drinks.

But they were turned away by staff who told them it was company policy not to serve anyone in uniform.

Now over 50,000 people have joined a Facebook group calling for a boycott of Browns bar this Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day.

Those who set up the group on the social networking website stressed they were not advocating violence towards the bar but wanted to make a stand.

Among those who have commented on the page are Corporal Thacker's wife Catherine, who said she was 'horrified' at what had happened.

She wrote: 'When I found out this news I was horrified. Especially seeing as one of the men in uniform was his grieving brother! The lack of respect you have shown my husband, me and the lads will never be forgotten by the people in Coventry'.

Mrs Thacker has since received an 'unreserved apology' from Ken Brown, the owner of Browns Cafe and Bar in Coventry.