A new housing development on Central Avenue in Ashfield will bear the name Adrian Sheldon View, commemorating the life and service of a local soldier.
The 16-home project, situated near the cemetery where Rifleman Adrian Sheldon rests, has been named to honour his memory and his deep roots in the Ashfield community.
Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, affectionately known as “Shelly” by his comrades, served in the British Army’s 2nd Battalion, The Rifles. He lost his life in Afghanistan in 2009.
Lindum is building a mix of two and three-bedroom houses on behalf of Ashfield District Council, with the work likely to be completed by autumn 2026.
The council had been in discussions with Adrian’s mum, Diane Sheldon, for a few years to find the perfect spot for a street named in his memory. Central Avenue is near to where Rifleman Sheldon attended school and grew up. It is also close to the Cenotaph which bears his name and Kingsway Cemetery which is his final resting place.
She said: “It’s a great honour and something for our family to be proud of. It keeps Adrian’s memory alive. I have talked at length with Cllr Jason Zadrozny about plans to build social housing with the street being named after Adrian. I think the name Adrian Sheldon View is perfect because of where it is.
“For myself, my husband Mark and daughter Amy, it is a place for us to reflect. All of the family live locally and some of his friends who are away with the forces do come and see us when they are back.
“Adrian was quite shy but a very generous, loving and kind person. He was very close to his family and had some great friends in and out of the Army. He socialised when he could but when he got home he wanted to chill out.
“He was close to his sister Amy and it is sad they he never got to meet her daughter Annabella, but we make sure she knows all about her Uncle Adrian.
“Losing Adrian was a massive loss to all of his friends and family. It has been 15 years now and we still keep his memory alive.”
After initially enlisting in 2001 and training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Adrian participated in missions in Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Iraq. Though he briefly left the Army, Sheldon ultimately returned to his battalion, driven by his commitment to serve.
He was deployed to Afghanistan, where he operated as a qualified Jackal vehicle driver in the Fire Support Platoon. Tragically, he was killed by an IED on May 7, 2009, while on duty near Sangin in Helmand Province.
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “I’ve been talking to Mrs Sheldon for a number of years about honouring Rifleman Adrian Sheldon in the place he grew up.
“I am delighted we have now found the perfect spot, a special place to Adrian and his family. It will be a place where his family and friends can remember him and it is an honour for us to be able to respect his memory in this way.
“This will ensure that future generations will know the name Adrian Sheldon and the sacrifice that he made for his country.”
The new street has now been completely cleared of vegetation and the derelict garages have been demolished ahead of the building work starting.
These new homes will have increased insulation in the walls and floor, a gas boiler that is hydrogen ready, solar panels that will supply approximately 30% of electric use and electric vehicle charging ports.
Edward Chambers, Co-chair of Lindum Group, said: “Adrian Sheldon View is a tribute to a brave young man who gave everything for his country. Lindum feels privileged to honour Rifleman Sheldon and to give the Ashfield community a lasting reminder of his service and sacrifice. We hope that those who make their homes here will remember Adrian’s story and the values he embodied.”
Mark and Diane Sheldon, Adrian’s parents, expressed their gratitude for the recognition of their son’s life and dedication.
